‘The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.’
(Isaiah 58:11-12)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we come towards Holy Week, my thoughts and prayers are with you all in Coventry. In this period of transition, I have been enormously grateful for your kindness and patience. Happily, our move date is imminent, and I have made good progress in building my understanding by meeting some of the people who carry specific responsibilities in the diocese. This has only served to encourage me and confirm my sense of God’s call to join you there.
I have also had a series of farewell events and multiple goodbyes here, from individuals, groups and organisations, both representing the church and wider society. Hard as I knew these would be, there has been great generosity, and I have been so blessed by all that has been reflected back to me. These have inspired me to consider carefully, the kind of diocesan bishop I wish to become, building on my years as a suffragan in Doncaster.
In addition, I recently paid homage to his Majesty, King Charles, as all new diocesan bishops must. I was invited to have the bible open at a specific page and I chose the passage above, from the book of the prophet Isaiah. This has been a prophetic word for God’s people for millennia but also throughout my ordained life over the past almost 30 years. Isaiah’s words were written at a time of immense difficulty for God’s people who, though likely returned from exile, struggled to live the life to which God had called them. Their challenge was to hold on to the promises of God in the midst of a complex and diverse community whilst also wrestling with their own flaws and human fragilities. These words reflect important themes for our life and ministry today as we consider God’s call to us. I wonder how these themes are present for you in this season.
Sun Scorched Land
Perhaps you sense a need for God’s refreshment through the image of the ‘sun scorched land’. Perhaps you have felt burned by the demands and challenges of daily life and ministry. It may be that Holy Week is a time to receive the refreshment of God’s love and renewing life as we journey through the events of Jesus’ final week and recognise again the transforming power of his redeeming love.
Well-watered Garden
Perhaps life has been more fruitful of late and the image of the ‘well-watered garden’ fits with this experience. Perhaps this is not how it has been but rather, your hope for the coming season. Holy Week may be a time for thanksgiving for the way he has sustained and refreshed you over this past year. Perhaps it is a cry for those known to us, or the needs of the wider world, that barren places may be once again fruitful and full of life.
Repairer of Broken Walls
Perhaps you are struck by the call to participate in God’s ministry as ‘Repairer of Broken Walls’, ‘Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.’ We need not look far to witness the broken places of the world. This of course begins with us and our need to be reconciled to God and to one another for the sake of the world he loves. Those who will renew their vows made at ordination will once again recommit ourselves to be peacemakers with Christ. I wonder what that invitation means to you at present?
I am so grateful for your ministry across the diocese and want to thank you for all you are doing at this time. With all the challenges of life for so very many people, including us and our households, your sacrifice and care, day after day, is not unnoticed. Having ministered in many different contexts, I am all too familiar with the demands of parish, school, cathedral, chaplaincy and diocesan life and ministry, especially in this season. I am also grateful to Bishop Tim for being with you to share in the renewal of vows and blessing of oils in the cathedral this year. As we prepare for Holy Week, I encourage you to ensure that the mystery and wonder of all that we are about to enter into does not pass you by in the service of others. For me, I especially treasure the service on Maundy Thursday evening, often leading into a prayer vigil late into the night. The sorrow and anticipation of the last supper and foot washing, strikes me afresh every year and, though this year will be different, I have no doubt that this will, again, be the case.
Though I shall not be with you in person this year, I will of course be renewing my own commitment and allegiance to Christ to follow him as a disciple and to serve him as a bishop and I greatly look forward to being with you for the service of Welcome and Installation. I trust that, by now, you have all received an invitation to join me on 7th June at 2pm. For more information on booking see Eventbrite. This service will be followed by refreshments in the beauty of the cathedral setting. I hope it will include a wide variety of aspects of diocesan life with people of all ages and backgrounds. In the months to follow, I look forward to meeting many people right across the contexts in which you serve.
As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus through the rest of Holy Week, it is my prayer that we will lay aside all that hinders us from following the one who was not too proud to take off his outer garment, wrap a towel around his waist and wash the feet of others. May you know his presence with you always.
This comes with every blessing and the assurance of my prayers,
+Sophie Coventry