Bishop's Column

The Rt Rev’d Mary Stallard

As I learn to find my way around our diocese, the theme of journeys is much on my mind. I have also recently returned from a visit to our link diocese of Uppsala, Sweden which was an exciting adventure through which I met inspiring friends and partners in faith on my travels.

From the moment of our baptism, each one of us began the most exciting and compelling life-journey and many of us have found help, and made friends along the way.

As we look back over our lives, we can trace the routes we have taken. We may recognise times when we have followed the call of God, our maker and been faithful to Jesus our saviour. Perhaps we can see that there may also have been times when we may have done our own thing, or gone our own way, and needed to find a way back to God.

As a bishop, it is my privilege to have a small part in other peoples’ faith journeys. Hearing the testimonies (or faithstories) of those who are baptised, confirmed and ordained is a wonderful experience. It can be so humbling to hear how other people have responded to God‘s call, especially when they have experienced the challenges of illness, bereavement, or some other sadness. It always amazes me how the urge to find life, meaning, and hope is often so strong in people who have experienced immense challenge or hardship.

The greatest gift on our life-journey is the encouragement and help we receive from God and from others. The word

“companion” is often used to speak about those who travel with us, and one of the root meanings of this is “with bread”. As we think about our journeys in life and in faith, we give thanks for all who feed us and sustain us on our way, and ask God to help us to be good companions to others, to support and uphold all who need help to find their way.