Bishop Hugh spent the day in Malvern and Upton Deanery earlier in the week where he visited churches, schools and toddler groups to get a sense of some of the things happening across the Deanery.
The day started with two school visits. The first stop was Powick CE Primary where Bishop Hugh joined in with an assembly on the theme of respect. He met new head, Sarah Price who said:
“It was fantastic to have Bishop Hugh with us to lead our worship. I had recently met the bishop at an event for teachers at Holland House and had been very moved by how he led the service there. I know that our children really valued his visit to our school.”
From Powick, Bishop Hugh and Area Dean Gary Crellin moved onto Upton CE Primary School where they watched an Open the Book assembly led by Year 2 children along with local church members. Hugh asked the children what they loved about their school and reminded them that God had given them everything they needed to look out for each other and have fun together.
Headteacher Rachel Arthur said:
“It was a real pleasure to welcome Bishop Hugh to our school this morning. His visit gave our pupils a wonderful opportunity to see the importance of faith, storytelling and community in action as they enjoyed watching Open the Book. The children were delighted to share this special experience with him, and we are very grateful for the time he took to visit, engage with our school community and support the valuable work of the Open the Book team.”
Christine Lamb heads up the ecumenical Open the Book team in Upton. She said: “We all love working with the children to spread the message of the bible. They take everything in, absorb it and remember it later!”
Bishop Hugh and Gary moved onto Kempsey Church where they met a group of people who meet weekly to look after the graveyard and enjoy coffee and biscuits together.
Vicar Kat Mepham said: “Our ‘graveyard gang’ was started a couple of years ago when a big tree fell over. They now meet every Tuesday morning to help clear some of the churchyard, but also to enjoy coffee and fellowship together. The church benefits from their work but it’s also great for those individuals who attend - they have made new friends and have a regular opportunity to chat together.”
Stepping Stones toddler group was also taking place in the church and Bishop Hugh met parents and grandparents and chatted to Kempsey’s Children, Young People and Families’ Minister Libbirty Webber about both the toddler group and the church’s growing youth group.
Area Dean Gary then accompanied Bishop Hugh on to Dyson Perrins CE High School where they met with local vicar, James Williams and Chaplain Ness Everitt. They were able to talk to some of the students as well as see a set of Stations of the Cross which had been painted by the school to give to the church.
Following lunch at ‘Soup and Sing’, a Mental Health and Memory Café at The Church of the Ascension in Malvern Link, Bishop Hugh visited Messy Vintage at Holy Trinity in Malvern before finishing his day with Deanery Chapter prayers at Little Malvern Priory.
Bishop Hugh said:
“It was an interesting and varied day with some great singing in Powick and an impressive Open the Book in Upton. It was great to meet children and young people of all ages in our schools and toddler groups, chat to the ‘graveyard gang’ and make a handmade mouse at Messy Vintage while we thought about the wonder of creation. Thank you to everyone who made me feel so welcome, I hope to be able to come back and visit again soon!”
