THE SEPTEMBER 2017 See MAGAZINE JOURNAL OF BLACKBURN DIOCESE : THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN LANCASHIRE The official retirement service for the Bishop of memories of my time as Bishop of Lancaster and Lancaster, Rt Rev. Geoff Pearson, took place on a I give thanks to God for His call and His Cathedral Saturday in mid-July at Blackburn Cathedral. sustaining grace. Bishop Geoff was joined by The Lord Lieutenant of “I have mixed emotions on this day and I also Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth; members of the want to thank God for the friendship and farewell for Bishop's Leadership Team; current and retired fellowship Jean and I have enjoyed across the Bishops from across the Church of England; clergy Diocese.” and parishioners from around the Diocese and old Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop Geoff colleagues and friends from previous roles he has Bishop of Blackburn commented: “Bishop Geoff fulfilled throughout his long career in ministry. has given a lifetime of service to the Church, The service followed a dinner at Whalley Abbey including more than a decade as Bishop of (the Diocesan Retreat and Conference Centre in Lancaster. I am so grateful for his support during the Ribble Valley) the previous Thursday for my first few years in the role of Diocesan Bishop. current and past members for the Bishop’s His experience has been invaluable.” Leadership Team, including the former Bishop of Bishop Geoff’s other episcopal colleague in the Blackburn, Rt Rev. Nicholas Reade; the former Diocese, Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. John Goddard and the added: “Bishop Geoff’s passion for the Gospel, his former Archdeacon of Blackburn, The Venerable boundless enthusiasm and his passionate care for John Hawley. the clergy and lay people in his care have all The Cathedral was contributed to a very precious ministry of love packed and dozens of across Lancashire.” After the service Bishop Geoff (centre with Liverpool pictures from across After FC scarf) lines up with (l-r) Archdeacon Michael; Bishop Geoff’s long 43- presentations Bishop Philip; Bishop Julian; Jean Pearson; year career in ministry of gifts, he Archdeacon Mark Ireland and The Dean of Blackburn, were shown on screens and Jean left Peter Howell-Jones in the nave as people the Cathedral arrived. to the strains Bishop Geoff and his of ‘You’ll wife Jean chose to have Never Walk a more informal ‘songs Alone’ - the of praise’ style service famous with favourite hymns anthem of his interspersed with beloved Wearing the scarf of his Jean Pearson, Bishop recollections and Liverpool FC. beloved Liverpool FC Bishop Geoff’s wife, with one of reflections from the The couple Geoff Pearson and his wife their grandchildren, couple, who were joined will retire to Jean, left the Cathedral by many family Rainhill in his Joseph, during the together to the strains of ‘You’ll A collect of Bishops! At the retirement dinner for members including their native retirement service Never Walk Alone’ Bishop Geoff (third from right) at Whalley Abbey are grandchildren. Liverpool. pictured with current and former Bishops (l-r) Bishop You can watch a video of highlights from the Also in July Bishop Julian wrote to parishes John (retired Bishop of Burnley); Bishop Julian (the service on the Diocesan YouTube channel which and schools across the Diocese about the Bishop of Blackburn); Bishop Cyril (retired Bishop of also features a farewell message from Bishop appointment of a new Bishop of Lancaster. Doncaster and former Director of Training for Geoff. Pictures from the event are also available to He said: “I have been given permission by the Blackburn Diocese); Bishop Philip (the Bishop of view on the Diocesan Flickr feed. Search online for Dioceses' Commission to appoint a new Burnley) and Bishop Nicholas (retired Bishop of ‘YouTube’ or ‘Flickr’ and ‘Blackburn Diocese’. Bishop to the See of Lancaster. I am very Blackburn) On the Diocesan website in the news section you grateful to everyone across the Diocese who can also read the farewell interview with Bishop has fed into and helped in the process of Geoff and the Bishop’s own personal reflections of presenting our case for a new Bishop. We plan “Please make this a matter for your prayers; his time in ministry. to advertise for interest in the vacancy this that we will be guided by the Holy Spirit to appoint the person who is being called to take Bishop Geoff said: “I have some wonderful September and interviews will take place at the end of November. on this significant responsibility.” Would you like to think about how your church can Monday 2nd October – St Aidan’s Bamber Bridge witness through words and deeds and help to Tuesday 3rd October – Church of the Ascension – Resourcing for transform its community, writes Stephanie Rankin, Torrisholme Parish Development Resources Officer. Wednesday 4th October – Trinity Community effective witness Organised by the Parish Mission Support Church, Accrington Monday 6th November – Whalley Abbey Department and Together Lancashire, the th ‘Transforming Communities: Witnessing Through Tuesday 7 November - Holy Trinity South Shore, Word and Deeds’ evening will offer some advice Blackpool. about how you can get to know the needs of your Refreshments will be available from 7pm and the local community. evenings will start at 7.30pm. Come as a group There will also be opportunity to understand how from your parish or team so that you can discuss resources produced by HOPE (the catalyst together and return ready to put the suggestions organization that brings churches together to into action. To book, please see details under the Events listings on www.blackburn.anglican.org or House, Walker Business Park, Blackburn BB1 transform communities) can help you think about a 2QE from 10.30am. More information and rhythm of mission for your parish. email siobhan. [email protected] And remember a Communications and booking links on the Diocesan website events The same format is taking place on five dates and Marketing Advice Day also takes place around calendar or email in five different places to ensure as many people as the same time as these mission events; [email protected] to possible can attend. October 7 at the Diocesan Offices, Clayton book a place or places. The See can also be found on the Diocesan Website: www.blackburn.anglican.org under News, or scan the ‘QR code’ on the back page with your smartphone to be taken to the Diocese website page which contains the current and archive editions of The See. COMMENT: BISHOP PHILIP / NEWS ‘Why did God make wasps?’ I well wasps? Why should they be wiped out remember the absolute fury with which I on a whim just because we humans Even wasps are was once asked that question by a 13 don’t like them? Isn’t it just as much year-old member of my youth group: their world as ours? God’s creation! ‘What’s the point of wasps?’ Lying behind that girl’s questions was a It’s a good question, especially in these view of the world that puts humankind lazy days of late summer when wasps right at the centre of it. Her presumption seem to hang round every ice cream, was that this world is basically ours, sandwich or jam scone. And to be honest made for us by God, and other creatures it’s a question I very much sympathise only have point or purpose in so far as with because I seem to have a gift for they are of benefit to us. getting stung! It is the same attitude which ravages the My mother swears that when I was a earth in search of minerals, pollutes the boy, wasps used to seek me out to skies, destroys the rainforests and heats deliver their itchy blows. Twice I was the globe to the point that it will soon be species are as able to flourish as we are stung three times in a day, and one, in able to bear us no more. ourselves. the crook of my knee, still throbs to this God made us to be part of this creation, So let’s give thanks for the wasps. They day! If God made everything, why did he not to dominate it and certainly not to might be a nuisance, but they remind us bother with these nasty, vicious little destroy it. The word used in the Bible is of an important truth. This world is insects who seem to bring only misery ‘stewards’. We have a responsibility for God’s, not ours. And all that He has and tears? Wouldn’t the world be better creation, but that doesn’t mean that we made has a right to flourish. off without them? are free to do with it as we like. Part of From our human point of view, yes of that responsibility is to care for it, course it would. But what about the protect its diversity and ensure that all Bishop Philip There is an exciting new discipleship Responding in the power of learning programme starting in the Holy Spirit: spirituality, prayer Take the route September for lay people in and worship Blackburn Diocese, writes Mandy The modules are in different Stanton, Discipleship and Lay Ministry locations and on different to deeper faith Development Officer. evenings, so that as many people There will also be optional study skills sessions to The Routes of Faith discipleship as possible can attend at least help people to get the most out of the modules programme is for anyone who is one, and participants can do as and any reading they do, and introduce ‘theological interested in learning more about many or as few modules as they reflection’ (how to consider our own experience in their Christian faith.