Like many of you, I keep hoping that next month may be different and finally I might have the opportunity to see the “face of the diocese” and thank you, personally for so much. However, COVID-19 is so persistent and relentless! So now, the best I can do is make use of our award-winning and beautifully edited Crosstalk as the medium to speak with the people of the diocese. An efficient method for sure, but sadly, less intimate.
May I begin by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. At time of reading, I expect that we are in the middle of the Christmas and Epiphany season marking in our spiritual journey the presence of the living God in our lives. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany were and are, without doubt, my most favourite times to preach; seasons of deep challenge, comfort, hopefulness and promise. The seasons in which we hear The Story of God. From the caustic, challenging, confrontational and yet hopeful call of the Baptist; to the gentle intimacy of the Christ-Child coming to us, then and now, in the midst of violence, instability and fear; yet who by His very presence, as prophesied by the prophets, offers us peace and purity of Spirit. In Epiphany, this Word is shared with the world. We are all called to the river – the river of justice, compassion, love and forbearance.
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May I thank you for the time you listened to my preaching and teaching. For sharing with me some of my dreams for the Church. For being patient with me as I tried my very best to hear and respond to your dreams for our Church and our Diocese. For our struggle to be faithful to the ministry God called us to exercise together.
May I thank you for your prayers for me and for Catherine, in sickness and in health. Sunday after Sunday, I would hear from the person leading the prayers of the people, “… and for our bishop, John.” It always moved me and humbled me. I often thought that that was more attention than what any person deserved so, thank you.
May I thank you for your warm welcome that you extended to Catherine and to me after a lengthy 30-plus-year absence from the diocese. Catherine and I are so grateful for your welcome and your warm hospitality throughout my thirteen-year episcopacy.
While I did my very best, and I pray that I made you proud, we are all human and I know very well my mistakes and blunders. Thank you for your patience and your understanding and forgiveness.
Finally, may I thank you for your most generous farewell gift – more than anyone deserves.
Catherine and I cannot wait for the day when community life resumes in a more intimate way, so that we may see you all again. But in the meantime, please know that the people of the diocese, clergy, diocesan staff and Bishop Shane and Katherine remain in our prayers daily!
God speed, Merry Christmas and may God bless you.
Yours in Christ
? John
I’ve given up waiting!
Like many of you, I keep hoping that next month may be different and finally I might have the opportunity to see the “face of the diocese” and thank you, personally for so much. However, COVID-19 is so persistent and relentless! So now, the best I can do is make use of our award-winning and beautifully edited Crosstalk as the medium to speak with the people of the diocese. An efficient method for sure, but sadly, less intimate.
May I begin by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. At time of reading, I expect that we are in the middle of the Christmas and Epiphany season marking in our spiritual journey the presence of the living God in our lives. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany were and are, without doubt, my most favourite times to preach; seasons of deep challenge, comfort, hopefulness and promise. The seasons in which we hear The Story of God. From the caustic, challenging, confrontational and yet hopeful call of the Baptist; to the gentle intimacy of the Christ-Child coming to us, then and now, in the midst of violence, instability and fear; yet who by His very presence, as prophesied by the prophets, offers us peace and purity of Spirit. In Epiphany, this Word is shared with the world. We are all called to the river – the river of justice, compassion, love and forbearance.
May I thank you for the time you listened to my preaching and teaching. For sharing with me some of my dreams for the Church. For being patient with me as I tried my very best to hear and respond to your dreams for our Church and our Diocese. For our struggle to be faithful to the ministry God called us to exercise together.
May I thank you for your prayers for me and for Catherine, in sickness and in health. Sunday after Sunday, I would hear from the person leading the prayers of the people, “… and for our bishop, John.” It always moved me and humbled me. I often thought that that was more attention than what any person deserved so, thank you.
May I thank you for your warm welcome that you extended to Catherine and to me after a lengthy 30-plus-year absence from the diocese. Catherine and I are so grateful for your welcome and your warm hospitality throughout my thirteen-year episcopacy.
While I did my very best, and I pray that I made you proud, we are all human and I know very well my mistakes and blunders. Thank you for your patience and your understanding and forgiveness.
Finally, may I thank you for your most generous farewell gift – more than anyone deserves.
Catherine and I cannot wait for the day when community life resumes in a more intimate way, so that we may see you all again. But in the meantime, please know that the people of the diocese, clergy, diocesan staff and Bishop Shane and Katherine remain in our prayers daily!
God speed, Merry Christmas and may God bless you.
Yours in Christ
? John
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