Frommanna the Church of Diocese of Bath and Wells May 2021 Welcoming Syrian famililes n the last few years Nailsea going to pre-school and found has played its part in great friends. All the people were welcoming Syrian families wonderful and accommodating from war-torn areas and and welcomed our presence with refugee camps. them. This was our first two years IElaine Atkinson co-ordinates and it was difficult, different, a team of volunteers brought and stressful, wonderful things together by Christians Together happened, and difficult things in Nailsea and District (CTNAD). too. Then everything became Celebrating Ramadan in Nailsea They support refugees who have better and better. Language and arrived in Nailsea with the Syrian self-confidence. We adapted to Vulnerable Persons Relocation Two families now living in society.” Scheme (SVPRS). Nailsea have shared their stories North Council would She says, “We now have two about life here. A mother from like to support more refugee families here and are keen to one family says, “As for moving families. Got a property to rent? welcome others. We work closely to Britain, it was a little hesitant Contact the Refugee Resettlement with Council who decision. People, home, country. Team on 01934 427275 or email will welcome 12 more families to Everything, will be different. The caroline.crossley@n-somerset. the county. The main obstacle to English language was difficult for gov.uk. Find the full stories from doing this is finding suitable private me. We found a voluntary job for the two Nailsea families at www. landlord rental accommodation.” my husband and my son started bathwells.anglican.org/news■ News in brief Cartwheels and brussel Have you seen our new sprouts When Sophie and Izzy of St John’s, website? realised that not all Check out our new website at children in Zambia go to school, www.bathwells.org.uk. they decided to fundraise to help Designed by ChurchEdit, it is part of a collaboration with 20 other build and furnish a new 3-classroom A time to celebrate together primary school at St Paul’s church, dioceses to create a standardised Chipata. Save the date website that will serve dioceses After Sophie reached her £500 target While we will not be able to host the across the . for her fundraising raffle, her brother Zambian bishops this summer, due to This new way of working is built on had to do his promised challenges the restrictions of the Covid pandemic, collaboration, shared learning and of having a worm crawl on his face we will still have the opportunity to good practice and will allow some and eat three of his least favourite celebrate our links with the Anglican of the costs of website build and foods, including brussel sprouts. church in Zambia, with our first Zambia development to be shared. Izzy meanwhile did 100 cartwheels Sunday on 4 July. The user-focused website includes a day for seven days. In total £2,500 It will be an opportunity for us a documents section, to enable has been raised for the school which all to pray and learn more about people to find essential downloads means it can be built later this year. each other together. Find out more and other material quickly, and a ■ bathandwells.org.uk/parish-links/ ■ at: bathandwells.org.uk/Zambia- more powerful search function partnership/ ■ Called to serve and care By Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells

here are many things I knowing their people, and being to the resurrection and to preach shall miss when I retire. known by them.’ These monthly the good news of salvation in all One is writing these articles are one way in which I seek the world.’ That is a calling and a Tbrief articles for parish to ‘be known’ across the diocese. privilege which will not stop as I lay magazines. After some 41 years of As I prepare to retire, I want to down the See of Bath and Wells. writing articles and editorials you express my huge appreciation for It is at the heart of what it is to might think I would be pleased the welcome I have received in all be part of the Body of Christ. So, to stop. However, over the years the parishes and places that I have as I say my farewells, I send you this is one way I have been able visited. It has been an enormous my blessing. Please know that my to keep in touch with people and privilege to join the churches of prayers will continue to be with offer encouragement and support the diocese to see what you are you. to all that is happening in the life doing, to preach and to share in Yours with the love of Christ, of our churches and communities. your worship. I am conscious that In the ordination service for despite getting out and about bishops the liturgy begins with the across the whole diocese there words: ‘Bishops are called to serve are still some churches which I and care for the flock of Christ. have not visited, and I am sorry Mindful of the Good Shepherd, about that. who laid down his life for the Reading the ordination sheep, they are to love and pray for service, I see that as disciples those committed to their charge, we are all called to ‘witness An absolute delight Bishop Peter reflects on his time in Bath and Wells as he prepares to retire early on medical grounds.

What moments stand out for you? here in the diocese. This past year It has been an absolute delight to has been particularly difficult for visit so many churches to share in everyone but I am confident that worship, preach and to see all that despite the issues we face that clergy and congregations are doing the diocese is in good heart and in or planning. Every confirmation good hands. service has been a real joy and What will you take away from privilege and the Cathedral your time in Somerset? confirmations have been inspiring. Only in Somerset: Bishop Peter on I have wonderful memories of What will you miss? Festival's Pyramid Stage being the Bishop of Bath and Wells I shall hugely miss the visits I have ‘outside a church setting'. Going to made to schools, colleges and that when we leave Somerset, Jane the Bath and West Show, meeting universities. To see young people and I and our dog Juno will miss our rural and farming community, learning, exploring and thinking the glorious scenery and wonderful or speaking at civic occasions. about the world we live in has been countryside. Speaking at the Glastonbury a joy. I shall also miss the sitting What gives you hope for the future Festival will never leave me - down with Clergy, Readers and of the Church in Bath and Wells? walking onto the Pyramid Stage church leaders to talk and pray with I can’t think of a day when I haven’t in front of such a huge crowd was them about the challenges and joys been encouraged and hopeful both terrifying and uplifting■ they are finding in ministry. I know about the future of the Church

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