The Bishop of Dudley, GrahamUsher, left the diocese at the weekend to become the Bishop of Norwich. Twocelebrations were held in Worcester and Dudley to reflect the role BishopGraham has played throughout the whole diocese, with hundreds attending sayinggoodbye in the Cathedral and at the Black Country Living Museum.
There was a special Evensongin Worcester Cathedral on Saturday evening, at the end of which Bishop Johntook back the Bishop of Dudleys crozier which was placed on the altar readyfor the next bishop. Bishop Graham and his wife Rachel were presented with apainting of the Malvern hills, in case they forget what hills look like inNorwich (!) and a scarf made from Beckford silk to protect against the Eastwind.
In Worcester, Bishop Grahampreached on the wisdom he has gained from driving the M6 between the bishopshouse in Cradley and Worcester city and quoting the poet R.S. Thomas, talkedabout collecting the pollen of wisdom and having the time to work it intohoney. He said: I am hugely grateful to all of you, for how you have shapedme as a bishop. I came with much to learn. I leave with much to learn about thenext step in this bizarre journey that God is calling me on as I seek, simply,to seek out the pollen of wisdom, looking to Jesus in all that I do and am.
The celebration continued onSunday afternoon with an open air service of praise, prayer and thanksgivingheld in a big top at the Black Country living museum. Colleagues and friendsfrom throughout the Diocese gathered for the final goodbye and to pray for BishopGraham and his wife Rachel. The service was led by Bishop John with worshipprovided by the musicians based at Top Church in Dudley.
Bishop Graham preached on theparable of the good Samaritan, which had been read by Anna Walsh, Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the charity CHADD (Churches Housing Association of Dudley andDistrict) of which the Bishop of Dudley is Chair. As well as listing the topten things he will miss about Dudley, Bishop Graham asked the question of whois our neighbour? He said:
Our neighbours are anyone inneed of us. Our neighbours are every person made in the beautiful image of God.Our neighbours are those we have a tendency to label as the other. Ourneighbours are those who inconvenience us and those it would, frankly, makelife a lot easier simply to ignore. Our neighbours are even those we think aredifferent from us. [Thats why] our churches mustnt be clubs for theprivileged few, they must be places that create space to foster being a goodneighbour. They must never be places that put up walls, but always places thatbuild bridges into communities.
Were not to pull a fizzog or have a cob on. Dont be ahalf-soaked bab or begin blarting. No more clarting about saying youll get on with it sometime. Loving Godmeans getting out there, sharing our faith, and serving our neighbours boththeir needs and through creating spaces where good conversations can happen. Anduntil we meet again, its just, ta-ra abit.
At the end of the service, BishopGraham and Rachel were presented with a number of items to ensure they werefully prepared for life in Norwich, including a Delia Smith cookbook and theNorwich City mascot as well as mementos from Dudley, including a Black Countryflag on a coaster, a piece of Stourbridge glass and a Dudley bug. Afterwards,all those present joined together to enjoy a curry kindly prepared by the AhmadiyyaMuslim community.
- Read Bishop Graham's address in the Cathedral
- Read Bishop Graham's address at the Black Country Living Museum
- See more pictures from Worcester
ENDS
