July 2009

It is going to be immensely strange to have a diocese of Hereford without Michael and Rosemary Hooper in it! They are a wonderful pair of Christians, delightful human beings, and both have served God and this diocese unstintingly for forty-four years. That is quite a record and achievement!

There are very few bishops in the Church of England who have been made bishops to serve in the diocese where they were already serving as priests or Archdeacons, and it is a testimony to Bishop Michael that he has been one of them. Ordained at the age of 24, he served a curacy in Bridgnorth before his first incumbency which was in Minsterley. Eleven happy and purposeful years there were followed by his pioneering work in Leominster as Vicar then Team Rector, and afterwards as Archdeacon of Hereford.

Central to Bishop Michael's understanding of the faith has always been the encouragement of Local Ministry, of every Christian fulfilling the unique work that God gives them to do. He was able to live this out in his parish ministries, as well as work tirelessly to encourage it as Rural Dean, Archdeacon and Bishop. It is foundational in our Christian thinking and practice, and the fact that this is a normal, accepted part of the life of our diocese is in no small measure down to Bishop Michael. Our core Local Ministry Scheme has his print all over it.

Rosemary and Michael, like all those of us who are married, know that the marriage "team" is absolutely vital to our life and work in every aspect. Rosemary has fulfilled her own distinctive ministry among us, as well as with their wider family, and through her own creative gifts. Rosemary's teaching and her involvement in so many aspects of parish and diocesan life, including especially as a Trustee of the Mothers' Union, have brought real blessings to so many. She, with Michael, has also shown a deep commitment to our diocesan Companion link dioceses in Tanzania.

We give continued thanks for Bishop Michael and Rosemary's ministries and we pray for them in their "retirement", with the new work and the opportunities that that will bring them. Let us especially take heart in our own faith and the unique work that God calls each of us to do. The best possible way of honouring Michael and Rosemary is for us to pray and work for God's Church to continue to grow in this diocese, and for our own lives to be transformed further, through grace, in loving service and action.