Bishop Tom The season of Lent like spring is a time of new opportunities. In the Christian life it is a period when we should give time to reflection, study and prayer to deepen our spiritual lives in preparation for the joy of Palm Sunday the pain of Holy week and Good Friday so that we can truly celebrate the joys of Easter.

It is in sharing the discipline of Lent with our fellow Christians that we are prepared for the days between Palm Sunday and Easter Day.

In this, the  last letter that I write as your Diocesan Bishop, I pray that we will all make full use of the Lenten season to share with our Lord in his trials and temptations and in so doing deepen our sense of discipleship.

The past eleven years have been a time that I have been able to share with you in the journey of faith that we share through our call to be faithful Christians.   As I move into a new life in another part of the country I will take with me many memories of shared worship and other times together.  They will sustain me in the deepening of my own spiritual life and practice.

The message that I leave with you is that we are called to love and support one another in our ministries to parish, community and the wider world.  It is the message that Jesus gave to us and it remains the key task of all Christians.    For me, in moving into retirement I realise that it is important to recognise that this will be a new way of living that will be different to being active within the diocese.   My life and ministry will continue with new and possibly unexpected opportunities.

The hope and love that underpins the Christian message is for ever leading us on to new life and renewal.  You will be very much in my prayers as I watch and take pleasure in the development of the diocese in the years to come.

+ Tom