Tribute to the Bishop of Oxford

Bishop Richard was consecrated on Ascension Day 1987 in St Paul's Cathedral, and Eric James' sermon, titled, 'only connect'  reminded him, and us, that a Christian bishop should know a lot about connecting.  Through his national and international work, through his books and broadcasts Bishop Richard has connected people of all faiths and none to the good news and the teaching of Christ, but I would like to acknowledge and rejoice in the way he has connected us, the people of his Diocese. 

First of all, not long after his arrival, we were invited to come on pilgrimage to Oxford, staying in the homes of local Christians, Parishes carried their banners in a procession led by Hungerford, and very memorably we made Eucharist in Broad Street.  A young girl turned to me and said she had not known there were so many Christians in the world.  In the early 1990's  there was a mass exodus of the three counties to Butlins at Bognor Regis - where we were blessed with outstandingly good weather, excellent speakers, marvellous opportunities to learn, and take part in forms of worship we had not experienced before - and the never to be forgotten entrance of the senior staff to the final Eucharist - each led by a child.  Most recently the weekend at High Wycombe -  Bishop Richard stood on the lawn welcoming us all by name (he never forgets our names), the Archbishop of Canterbury joined us, and again there were opportunities to pray, to learn - but most of all to get to know each other, to re-connect with old friends and make new ones. 

And when the parishes were not coming to meet him, Bishop Richard came to meet us.  Over the years he has travelled many thousands of miles visiting deaneries and parishes, schools and hospitals, individuals and groups.  I remember an early visit to the deanery as quite formal, but recently on a farewell tour, talking to the deaneries on a subject of their choice, he came as an old and valued friend. 

In all spheres of Diocesan life connections have been encouraged.   We have broken bread together socially as well as sacramentally -  team building with bacon butty breakfasts for the Bishop's Council - bring and share lunches after the Diocesan Synod to facilitate networking (with fierce competition for Jo Harries chocolate brownies), dinners with General Synod members, good wine taken to retreat dinners before ordinations.

When first appointed Bishop of Oxford, Richard said he wanted to bring a sense of cohesion and strategy to this unwieldy Diocese, and you have, Bishop Richard, you have.

People no longer call for the Diocese to be split into three - under your leadership we know each other too well, we live with our differences, we value each other's strengths, and support each other in our weaknesses.

So we have grown together - and worked on strategy.  Our purpose is to create caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the Diocese of Oxford., our strategy is called Sharing Life - its all about connections.  With most of the clergy in the Diocese, and some lay leaders, Bishop Richard took part in the Servant Leadership training and at all levels of Diocesan life he has encouraged integration, involvement, connecting people with each other. 

Twenty years is a long time for one Bishop.  We have had our highs and lows.  Looking back through Diocesan Synod minutes I had to smile about Plans and Reports into which great energy - and often some anguish - was poured and which are now yesterday's stories.   The legacy Bishop Richard leaves us is not just a strategy called Sharing Life, but the fact that we are sharing life, that under his leadership we have connected and go forward together.