Ad Clerum – July 2009

Dear colleagues, 

At the recent ordinations in the Cathedral, fourteen people were made deacons, and seven were made priests. Both were wonderful occasions, and it was good to see so many from the diocese and beyond present. This will be a short letter to you all, since everything I want to say to you at the moment is contained in my Ordination Charge, a copy of which is enclosed. I hope you find it helpful. There will be one more ordination before I retire. Elizabeth Groves is to be priested here in the Bishopsgrove Chapel on Thursday 3rd September at 3.00 p.m. Please remember her in your prayers. 

During the ‘inter-regnum’ between my departure and the arrival of my successor, a Commissary will act in the place of Diocesan Bishop, and he will be Ian Brackley, Bishop of Dorking. The Church of England being what it is, the Dorking bishop lives in Guildford, and this will provide relatively easy access for him. He will be responsible for all legal matters, and will be arranging with Bishops Peter Selby and Godfrey Ashby how the confirmations and other episcopal services are to be covered. We are indeed fortunate to have three such experienced bishops helping out, and I ask for your prayers for them. While on the subject of arrangements, please also note that Karen Schmidt works here as Bishop’s Chaplain only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, so your cooperation over special services and events will be appreciated. 

Now, let me turn to the flu pandemic, about which I have had a number of enquiries for some kind of diocesan policy. Thankfully it has so far proved less dangerous than was at first feared. Nevertheless, I hope that you have found the advice and guidance issued so far to some degree helpful. Further guidance in the same vein from the national Church will soon reach you. I am also grateful to Gary Waddington who is providing a helpful summary of practical advice for the administration of Communion which I shall also ask to be circulated. Despite the relatively good news so far, it is clear that we cannot be complacent. While you are best placed to decide what adaptations to normal practice are appropriate, should the situation warrant it, I will issue advice that communion be distributed in one kind only until the danger is passed. But this will be a last resort, I assure you.  

I am looking forward – now! – to the two farewell services, in Newport Minster on Sunday 6th September at 3.00 p.m., and the eucharist in the Cathedral on Saturday 12th, also at 3.00 p.m. Invitations with details of the arrangements will go out soon. We are keeping the number of robed clergy to a minimum, with ecumenical representatives, former bishop’s chaplains, and the bishop’s staff only. At the moment, I can’t quite believe it is all happening. On a personal note, the last (I hope) side-effect that has developed is an overactive thyroid, which surfaced just as I was getting my energy back. It is, inevitably, slowing me down, and I am grateful for the patience with which a seated preacher has been greeted – though some may well prefer this, since standing still is not exactly one of my more spectacular gifts! 

Please remember Sarah and myself, and the family, in your prayers over the coming weeks – as I shall continue to remember you in mine. 

With every blessing 

+ Kenneth