Bishop Stephen's First 10 days in the diocese

One important event has been meeting with the Rural Deans and Lay Chairs, so that they could introduce Bishop Stephen to their deaneries. Each identified something that they are working towards, and then something that they wanted to Bishop Stephen to hear. 

Each deanery was also invited to present the Bishop with a gift that represented their deanery, and you can see the variety below. 

What followed was a discussion on the questions: When Bishop Stephen visits your deanery over the next few months, what sort of programme would you devise for him – probably not a tour of church buildings or a deanery synod meeting? And, what would you want the people of the deanery to be talking about after Bishop Stephen has gone? 

Bishop Karen was present, and she said: 

"Chalk, fossils, oxygen, Thomas Hardy, honey, stone, bustard feather, military badge, wellingtons and plenty of beer - the extent of the Diocese of Salisbury, reminding us of our mission and ministry. Taking the goodness in and good news out." 

Bishop Stephen said: 

"So grateful to all our Deaneries. Our symbols describe who we are, the feeling in the room called us to who we can be in Christ" 

Bishop Stephen has not only been attending synod, meeting Rural Deans and Lay Chairs, though. He has also begun visiting parishes. Of his first visit, he said: 

"Lovely to be at St Peter's Winterbourne Stoke for the Eucharist today. Faithful rural witness" 

In what seems to be the busiest few weeks possible for a new bishop, Ordinations take place on 3 July - the first for Bishop Stephen. Everyone is invited, details here.