Announcement from the Bishop

Dear Friends,
 
With the support of the Primate who has accepted my request to retire, I now wish to inform you that I shall conclude my role as the tenth Bishop of Wellington in March 2012, effectively completing my duties at the end of February.
 
The sabbatical time we were privileged to have enabled me to consider the future quietly and prayerfully and I feel sure that taking this step will benefit the Church and enable Dwyllis and me to take life a bit more leisurely.
 
Being Bishop of Wellington for 14 years come February, has been an enormous privilege and quite humbling given your support, prayers and affection. It has been a time of change and clergy and laity alike have embraced new ways of being Church with enthusiasm and commitment. Strong relationships which are key to being effective have enabled us to be firmly linked together. We have  as a Diocese made a difference and to have been part of that with you has been very rewarding.
 
It is our intention to remain living in Wellington, albeit quietly – we have come to love the Diocesan region – it is home for us and so you may spot us out there somewhere going to Church, golfing, fishing or walking.
 
In the meantime it is ‘business as usual’ with Clergy Conference next week and Synod next month.
You will be in my prayers and thoughts too, as you have an opportunity to ponder what next for the Diocese.
 
+Tom