June 2009

13th June 1965 was a hugely significant day for me. I was ordained deacon in the church of God in Hereford Cathedral by Mark Hodson, the Bishop. During the retreat before the ordination the Bishop told me to go to Bridgnorth, serve my curacy and not worry about the next job because the Diocese would look after me. That promise has been honoured over 44 years. I would like to say a big 'thank you' to successive Bishops and Archdeacons, clergy colleagues in Group and Team and Chapter, the Churchwardens and countless parishioners and lay people who have cared and supported me and my family over nearly half a century. I must make special mention of those who have served me as personal secretaries, Ann, Pam, and Linda.

In today's climate Bishop Mark's comment may seem rather old fashioned and Bishops no longer have the powers they did in those days. However, Bishop Anthony and I try to exercise pastoral care of the clergy and lay people of the Diocese and that is the top priority for us. We may no longer be able to offer posts in the same way that Bishops did in the past, but considerable care and time is taken thinking and praying, about all the clergy of the Diocese and how they can be supported. We try to discern when the right time is for a move and where they might move to. In these days of advertisements and complex legal requirements we still try to exercise that pastoral care.

Over the last 44 years there have been outstanding moments which I shall never forget. Ordination to the priesthood in 1966 and presiding for the first time at the Eucharist are such moments. 1976 saw the Diocese celebrating 1300 years. It was also the year I first became a Rural Dean. The medieval cross in the Cathedral was taken throughout the Diocese from Deanery to Deanery and imaginative events took place around the cross. Its final resting place was in Pontesbury Deanery which is the farthest away from Hereford. A group of young people came with me to bring it back to the Cathedral for an amazing service for which the Cathedral was absolutely packed. In the same year the Queen came to Hereford to distribute the Maundy Money.

In 1978 the Diocese sent me to Windsor on the mid service training course and it was memorable to live within the precincts of Windsor Castle and engage with so many other people on a vital consultation which lasted a month. In 1981 I became a Prebendary at Hereford Cathedral and I have greatly treasured belonging to the Cathedral family which has always been welcoming and supportive. That same year saw our move to Leominster and so began a time in the Hereford Archdeaconry, having served the north for 16 years. The time in Leominster was hugely significant in understanding of ministry and the development through prayer and working together of Local Ministry, and encouraging the leadership of lay people and clergy together. There were so many exciting events during that time and many colleagues with whom it was a great privilege to work. It was during those years that the links between Leominster and Tengeru in Tanzania began and grew. I shall never forget my first journey to Tanzania and the excitement of landing in Africa and so began many friendships across the world which are very personal and deep and have changed our lives.

1997 saw the move to Hereford to be Archdeacon and a Residentiary Canon. During that time we celebrated the Millennium which was not a huge event for the Cathedral, but a significant one for its family. A service in the Cathedral for that family at midnight and then champagne and fireworks in the Bishop's garden. It was a very mild night and we didn't go to bed until the early hours of the morning, people passed another in the street and the Cathedral Close, all speaking as if they knew one another.

2002 saw my consecration as Bishop of Ludlow and the move to Halford as Bishop and Archdeacon. At Southwark Cathedral a huge crowd of people came, including all the people I have worked with over the years, even one priest from America! It was so natural to return to the Ludlow Archdeaconry where we had so many friends and there was a warm welcome and it was the most natural thing in the world to return and be their Bishop. This has been the most enormous privilege and I have so enjoyed confirming and ordaining and being an integral part of the life of the church and community of South Shropshire.

It is impossible in a short letter to talk about all the events and memorable moments of so many years, but I have touched on those that have stood out in my mind. However it is all the people with whom I have lived and worked, loved and been loved by who I take with me as the greatest memory of all. It is these bonds of love which can never be destroyed which are eternal and which I shall take with me on the next stage of my journey. Thank you to you all.

The end of May sees the Feast of Pentecost. It is a dynamic picture of the first Apostles being sent into all the world in the faith of the risen Christ. It is in that faith we carry on God's mission today and so we go forward with Augustine's words ringing in our ears, "We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song".