UPFRONT: LATEST NEWS UPFRONT: LATEST NEWS Joanne is consecrated bishop at St Paul’s OUR Archdeacon, the Ven Joanne Grenfell, has been consecrated as the new Bishop of Stepney. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, led the service, at which Joanne and three other new bishops were consecrated in St Paul’s Cathedral. The Archbishop laid his hands on her head, along with dozens of other Church of England bishops, and prayed for God’s Holy Spirit to descend and equip her for her new role. She starts the job formally in September. His predecessor, the Rt Rev Rowan Williams, preached, encouraging the four new bishops to spot The Archbishop of Canterbury places his hands on Joanne’s head, along with where God was transforming fellow bishops, to consecrate her as the new Bishop of Stepney people and to draw those Cathedral. Hundreds of clergy the Archbishop of Canterbury, transformations to the attention colleagues, friends and family promising to be diligent in prayer, of others. from across the country sat in to proclaim the gospel, to strive a semi-circle under the soaring for peace, and to be gentle and “Apostolic ministry is about dome of the historic cathedral. merciful to those in need. someone who draws our attention Top: Fellow bishops applaud the new Bishops of Huntingdon, Stepney, to the transformation that Christ Dozens of bishops dressed in The other bishops moved Southampton and Shrewsbury during the ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral; has made in someone and speaks above: the four new bishops are presented to the Archbishop; right: Bishop red chimeres processed up the to encircle the four bishops- of it,” he said. Joanne with the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Sarah Mullally; bottom right: cathedral aisle to join expectant designate in prayer as the Veni former Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams preaches. Photos: St Paul’s Cathedral “A bishop’s job is to look at the worshippers. Creator was sung - a prayer Sarah Bullock as the new Bishop welcomed with rousing applause. Body of Christ and say ‘look, calling on the Holy Spirit to of Shrewsbury. there it is!’ The task of a bishop The four bishops-designate were descend and anoint those to be The Archbishop then celebrated is to build up that network of presented to the Archbishop consecrated. Each of the newly-consecrated the Eucharist before he, the deep, joyful trust. It’s not just by their sending and receiving about building up individuals, but bishops, so Joanne was presented The Archbishop of Canterbury bishops was given a Bible as a new bishops, their new senior building the space where people by both the Bishops of Portsmouth then laid his hands on the heads sign of their authority to build up colleagues, and the other bishops can discover they are capable and London. Joanne’s son Sam of each candidate, along with Christ’s Church. The Archbishop processed out of the west door. of more than they knew. You then read the New Testament fellow bishops, and consecrated then anointed all four of them Delighted family and friends are building a habitat for a new reading confidently from the book Canon Dr Dagmar Winter as with oil, recalling their baptism, embraced the four new bishops, humanity.” of Ephesians. the new Bishop of Huntingdon, and presented each of the new as tourists looked on. Canon Deborah Sellin as the new bishops with their episcopal The consecration service After the sermon, the bishops- Bishop of Southampton, the Ven rings and crosses. The four new For more photos, see: www. took place in the impressive designate stood at the altar Dr Joanne Grenfell as the new bishops then turned to face portsmouth.anglican.org/ surroundings of the iconic St Paul’s and made their declarations to Bishop of Stepney and the Ven the congregation and were bishopjoanne. 4 live | pray | serve www.portsmouth.anglican.org 5.