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Sing to the LORD a new song

Welcome Eucharists Psalm 96; Matthew 5.1-10 Thank you so much for your welcome.  It is very good to be here. I’m deeply thankful for the Church in these three counties.  I have experienced good things over many years. I am enjoying…

What’s your favourite film, Bishop?

I did a couple of television interviews on the morning of my inauguration service on 30th September.  At the end of the second interview, Emma from ITV asked me a question which should have been very simple: “What’s your favourite film?” My…

The Church of the Beatitudes

Inauguration as Bishop of Oxford Christ Church Cathedral Genesis 12.1-8 and Matthew 5.1-10 May I speak with humility, mercy and joy, May I speak of Jesus and his ways May I speak clearly and with boldness now and always.  Amen. Thank…

Listening to Jethro

A Presentation to the College of Bishops 13th September, 2016. The College of Bishops is the gathering of all the bishops of the Church of England.  We met last week for two days with the Scottish, Welsh and Irish bishops.  Each church…

Summer Joy

I hope you had a very good summer. Mine was full of good things. My youngest daughter Sarah became engaged.  Her fiancée, Simon, proposed at sunset in Florence.  I was able to spend two weeks with my grandson (mainly playing with trains…

The Referendum Result: a Reflection

“God is our refuge and strength A very present help in trouble. Therefore we should not fear, though the earth should change Though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea” Psalm 46 has a special resonance today...  The United…

The darkest valley: a reflection on this week in Parliament

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me” These words from Psalm 23 have been in my mind this week following the atrocities in Orlando and the terrible murder of Jo Cox yesterday. I’ve been…

Young minds matter

When was the last time you thought about mental health and young people? There is a major issue.  As many as 1 in 10 children and young people (aged 5-16) have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem.  The problems include depression,…

Let’s make sure we use our vote….

I hope you have appointments in your diary on Thursday 5th May and Thursday 23rd June.  There are opportunities to vote on both days and it’s vital to use them. On 5th May, people across South Yorkshire will vote in local elections and…