l to r: Josie Appleton, Bishop James,
Marcie Appleton, Laura Bennett, Mrs Sarah James, Emily Skinner
Celebrating
with Bishop James
“Liverpool Cathedral is really
good. On 8th November there was a special service but they’re not going
to do one next year”*
Fr Neil writes: so writes Marcie
Appleton after attending a special service in Liverpool Cathedral to
celebrate the Bishop of Liverpool’s 10th Anniversary here. The service
was full and colourful, focusing on baptism, confirmation, lay ministry
and priesthood: we had young people from St. Faith’s and St. Mary’s
walking in the processions carrying blue or red streamers. The music
was varied and the testimonies from some young people in our Diocese
were thought-provoking and moving. On our behalf, the young people
presented the Bishop and his wife with cards and gifts from our two
parishes, thanking the Bishop for his support and encouragement.
It certainly gave the Vicar some ideas
as to how he might celebrate his 10th Anniversary of being here next
year*…. Watch this space!
Below: words and pictures from the Diocesan website (see the link at
the foot of this page)
Bishop James celebrated his tenth anniversary as Bishop of Liverpool
with a special service at Liverpool Cathedral. The colourful service
reflected some of the important themes of Bishop James’ ministry and
particularly highlighted vocations and the call felt towards ordination.
The service started with the Bishop entering through the Cathedral’s
impressive West Doors where he was met by a young boy, also called
James, who greeted him using the same words from Bishop James’
enthronement service.
“Bishop James remember what Jesus said: ‘Truly I tell you who ever does
not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter
it’.”
The Bishop was met at the font by children who have been baptised in
the last ten years. At the font, one child presented the Bishop with
water which is poured into the font.
The children then led the procession through the Cathedral carrying
blue streamers and the Bishop moves to his Chair. As he passed through
the people he sprinkled them with the water in thanksgiving for our
baptism to life in Christ.
Later in the service the Bishop was joined by people with red streamers
(representing those confirmed or who have made their First Communion in
the past ten years) moving towards the central space.
There was also dramatised readings and a testimony by a young person
and lay person about their faith.
There was also a celebration of lay ministry and ordained ministries
with those commissioned to lay ministries in the past ten years
processing to the central space carrying green streamers and those
ordained in the past ten years processing to a focal point carrying
gold streamers.
In his sermon Bishop James said “the quality of leadership, lay and
ordained, is central to the flourishing of the mission of God in our
parishes.
Taking as his theme, the calling of Samuel. He spoke about God’s call
and Samuel’s response “speak for I am listening”. Addressing the
congregation Bishop James said “how good it would be for us to say to
him today ‘Speak Lord for your servant is listening.’ Not ‘Here I am
you called’. Self confident and full of ourselves, But ‘Speak , Lord
for your servant is listening’.
“I dare to believe that God is calling out of this great congregation -
both young and old – new Samuels, to be priest in his church.”
The service concluded with Bishop James and Sarah Jones being led out
to the door by those carrying red, gold, green and blue streamers.
Earlier, at the Diocesan Synod The Bishop of Warrington, The Right
Reverend David Jennings said “For today is a really special day in the
life of this diocese as we give thanks to God for his 10 years as our
bishop.
We give thanks for your deep commitment to Christ, which shows itself
in your care for this city and the diocese. In the city for your work
in regeneration, leading to the establishment of St. Francis's Academy.
For being truly the bishop for the city at moments of joy, the winning
of the Capital of Culture award and of disaster, like the death of Rhys
Jones. Of your ability to put the Gospel over with clarity because of
your love and knowledge of the scriptures and with those memorable
phrases”.
Visit the Liverpool Diocese
website
Vist the Liverpool
Cathedral website
Visit the
page of the Diocesan Adviser for Worship and Liturgy (Fr Neil!)
Back to St Faith's home page