Following his farewell service earlier in July, Bishop James has written a message of thanks to the Diocese.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Diocese of Rochester
Following my farewell service, Bridget and I are hugely grateful to so many of you across the Diocese for your kindness and good wishes. Despite the restriction on numbers, it was so good to see a good number in the Cathedral and I know that many others were able to join us online.
The service itself was a great encouragement, reflecting some of the areas of ministry which have been important to me over the last 10 years. Many have also sent cards and other messages for which we thank you.
The artistic glass piece which you gave us is wonderful and we will find a prime spot for it in our new home. We are also so grateful for the generous cheque which we received and the pilgrim’s staff which I was given in exchange for the return of the diocesan pastoral staff – it will accompany me on walks as I reacquaint myself with the footpaths and towpaths of the west Midlands.
As we prepare to move back to Birmingham, Bridget and I look back on our time among you with much thankfulness. Bridget has valued being part of the worshipping community at the Cathedral and, through the peripatetic life of a bishop, I have greatly appreciated sharing the rich variety of worship and community life across the Diocese.
This is a Diocese which encompasses an amazing range of contexts and settings in which people are living out their Christian discipleship; that has made my life and ministry the more interesting and enriching.
My additional role as Bishop for HM Prisons was both challenging and stimulating, giving me the opportunity to see some wonderful examples of Christian mission and social engagement within the criminal justice sector. I end my public ministry in the Church of England with a General Synod debate reviewing the workings of the arrangements put in place in 2014 whereby women were able to be ordained as bishops in our church. It was a privilege to have led the process by which that came about and also to lead the review.
In a world where there is so much division, I dare to believe that we found a way in which to make a really important and valuable change in our common life while also treating with honour and respect those who hold a different position.
As I did at the farewell service, I want to thank those at Bishopscourt and in the Diocese with whom I have worked most closely and who have been such a support to me.
Bridget and I assure you of our continuing prayers for the Diocese and trust that God’s guidance and blessing will go with all of you in the years to come.
+James