Bishop Ruth extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone across the Diocese of Liverpool and beyond who has sent kind and thoughtful messages as she begins her ministry here in Merseyside and the surrounding areas.
She is deeply grateful for the warm welcome and encouragement she has received and is looking forward to continuing to get to know communities across the diocese.
Bishop Ruth has recorded a short video message to personally thank you and to share a brief update about the coming weeks. You can watch the video below, along with a letter from Bishop Ruth to accompany it.
Dear brothers and sisters
Thank you so much for the wonderful sense of welcome I have received among you here in the Liverpool diocese. It has been a joy to be with you during Holy Week for the Chrism service and to celebrate Easter day with you.
I have now said farewell to Bath and Wells diocese and am very much looking forward to the service of welcome and commissioning on Saturday. I am delighted to be joining you on our journey together with God at this moment in the life of the Church within the diocese. We all realise that these have been challenging times but in this Easter season we recognise that we are following the risen Christ who has overcome death and gives us hope for all that is to come.
As we begin our walk together in faith, I want to encourage us to start as we mean to go on. I’ve found it really helpful to have a passage of Scripture to ‘dwell’ in each year and I would like to suggest that until the end of the year we take the following verses as words for us to reflect on, allowing God to speak to, and encourage us.
‘As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ Colossians 3:12-17 (NRSV)
I’ve found it really helpful to make this a personal practice but also as a foundation to how we pursue culture change and missional growth in our diocese. You will find me using it at key meetings and moments in our life together and I invite you to do the same within your parishes, schools, chaplaincies and communities. Do let me know how you hear God speak to you through it!
Listening to God and praying for one another will help us to understand what being ‘God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved’ is really all about. It is in the light of those words that I would ask for your prayers for me at this time. Unexpectedly I have been called for some scheduled surgery on May 12th. Not great timing but a necessary procedure if I am going to serve you well as your bishop. It will require me to take 6 weeks to recover and then I anticipate being back among you.
I am really sorry that this is taking me away from the diocese just as I am beginning to get to know you, but it is also a good reminder that none of us is indispensable! I am delighted that Bishop Geoff has agreed to take my place in ordaining our new deacons and priests and to preside at those confirmations and other special services due to take place during those weeks. In addition, the Archdeacons will have the support of Bishop Richard Frith who will be able to give an external perspective and share his wisdom.
As a diocese we are on something of a journey of change and this will continue in my absence. I am excited by what God is already doing amongst us with Fit for Mission and the Diocesan Investment Programme. There will be challenges ahead but I am looking forward to building upon the foundation already set, and recognise that, as God leads us on our journey of missional growth he will expand our vision and learning.
Do be in contact with Nichola and Kim in the Bishop’s Lodge office team as usual for any advice, diary planning and information you need. The Archdeacons will continue their excellent support and care of you all. In addition we have a wonderful support team within St James’ House who will be working to support and empower you all in our shared mission to grow a bigger church and bring more people to Jesus.
Please be assured of my prayers for you during this period. I shall be keeping in touch, and I look forward to joining you again early in July.
With thankfulness for you all
