Bishop Sophie has written to the diocese as her welcome and installation date is confirmed.
Dear Friends
Moving ahead
It is now eight weeks since I last wrote to you. In that time, we have experienced further tumult in the Church and the world, and I realise that the uncertainty around my arrival cannot have helped. Thank you to each of you for your continued ministry through this difficult season. I am grateful to Bishop Tim for all that he is doing since he was asked to serve as Acting Bishop of Coventry from Christmas. Please be assured that he is working very closely with me in the leadership he is exercising at this time. This lengthy transition has not been in my control and again, I want to reiterate that I am eager to serve as your bishop and delighted to have been called to this role. Even in this time of great complexity, that sense has not left me, and the call has only strengthened.
Moving forward
As some will be aware, the process requires that following my election by the College of Canons at Coventry, there is a service of Confirmation of Election. This will take place at 5pm on Friday 14th February at Lambeth Palace and Bishop Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, will preside as Dean of the Southern Province. I am delighted that a few colleagues from Sheffield and Coventry will attend. This is a very small service, limited in number, but none the less important. From this date, I will be able to be involved in key areas of responsibility directly, but these will be behind the scenes as I will not be taking up public duties until we are able to live in Coventry. In the light of this, I will be appointing Bishop Tim as an assistant bishop to provide both capacity and continuity in some key areas.
Moving in
As you may also be aware there is much work going on in the Bishop’s House which the Church Commissioners customarily do in times of vacancy. As the house was occupied, this was delayed in starting but since it began it is moving at pace, and the completion date is now secure. This will mean that we can move in May as hoped. We look forward to welcoming you to the house as soon as possible!
Arriving!
I am delighted to be able to ask you to save the date for a Service of Installation and Welcome at Coventry Cathedral on Saturday June 7th at 2pm. I hope that as many as want to attend from every parish will know that they are warmly welcomed. More information will follow very soon about how to register for this event. I realise that there will be plans already made in some parishes which cannot be helped but please do share the date as widely as possible to extend the reach and include all.
If you are uncertain who to contact in this period, please let Christine Camfield know, and she will direct you to the right person to address your query.
With every blessing and my gratitude for your ministry,
+Sophie