A town crier will be inviting locals to ‘pull up a pew’ with the new Bishop of Shrewsbury on Monday.
The Rt Rev Mark Rylands was consecrated at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday and will be installed as an honorary Canon of Lichfield Cathedral. On Monday night he will be welcomed to Shropshire at a civic service in Shrewsbury Abbey.
He will spend his first working day as bishop on a park bench in Shrewsbury town centre listening to the views of locals on the Church, faith and other issues of concern.
The bishop will be joined in Market Square by other clergy from the Shrewsbury Episcopal Area.
He said he would “not be making any big pronouncements or pontificating on any issue”.
“I’m a new bishop and although I have past connections with Shrewsbury and Shropshire, I have been away from the county for some time so it is very important that I come with a listening ear,” he said.
“I am coming to listen to people’s concerns, their hopes and fears. The Church wants to be alongside, listening to and serving our communities as an important part of embodying the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.