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'Maureen's
Musings'
 September 2016
I can hardly believe
that it is nearly a whole year since we said farewell to Bishop
Jonathon. But September brings not only a new school year - but
a new Bishop to the Diocese of Lichfield (of which we are a part
here in Pattingham)
Our Diocese is one of
the largest in the country; stretching from Derbyshire in the
East, right across to the Welsh border near Oswestry; taking
in the Staffordshire Moorlands, North Shropshire, the Connurbations
of Stoke, Stafford, Walsall and Wolverhampton and in the South
reaching down as far as Kinver, bordering onto the neighbouring
Dioceses of Worcester and Herefordshire. So it is quite a daunting
task to take on the Episcopal oversight of it all. Bishop Michael
- our new Diocesan Bishop of Lichfield, who comes into his See
this month, will continue to be assisted by our three very able
Area Bishops. Bishop Mark in Shropshire, Bishop Geoff in Stafford
and of course our own Bishop Clive in Wolverhampton. But much
of this next month or two Bishop Michael will be getting to know
the new Diocese for which he is taking on responsibility.
Bishop Michael's 'Season
of Welcome' begins on Thursday 15 September, culminating in his
formal Installation and celebrating a Diocesan Eucharist on Saturday
24 September.
He will undertake a Novena
- or Nine Days of Prayer - during which +Michael will visit all
corners of the Diocese and walk parts of the Two Saints Way (which
links Chester with Lichfield). During this time he will be meeting
local people - to pray with them and be prayed for. His Itinerary
includes
Oswestry - 15/09; Wellington 16/09; Chesterton 17/09 (the one
near Leak rather than our local one I think!); Wolverhampton
18/09 ; Aldridge 19/09; Whitchurch (Shropshire) 20/09; Newcastle
under Lyme 21/09; Gnosall 22/09 and Lichfield 23/09.
Some of us will then
be attending his services of Installation and Enthronement on
the Saturday morning and the Diocesan Eucharist on the Saturday
afternoon.
We are hoping to arrange a live streaming event - sadly not in
St Chad's as we do not as yet have broadband facilities in church
- but maybe in another local venue not too far away. (at the
time of going to press we think in Penn Fields but do check with
me nearer the time if you would like to view it all happening).
But if at all possible, we will try to ensure that there is an
opportunity to see a recording of the events in Lichfield in
St Chad's on our lovely new screens, at the earliest opportunity.
The eagle-eyed among
you will have noticed that there is no mention of him visiting
this part of the diocese during these nine days, but have no
fear - I have been asked if he can come for a whole 36 hour visit
to our Deanery on the 17th and 18th of October. And part of that
time he will be spending in Pattingham - so keep a lookout and
you may well meet him!...
We are also looking forward
to a visit from a representative of the Children's Society in
September - on Sunday 18th September. Many people in this parish
have been long and faithful supporters of the Children's Soc.,-
so do come along to church that morning to learn more of their
current activities - the excellent work they do - and to receive
thanks from the Society for all that Pattingham people have contributed
over the years.
But for now, I must get
back to viewing those Olympics!
Every Blessing,
Maureen
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