In this week's video, Bishop Richard encourages us to think about we say to each other, and why. He reminds us of the apostle James' counsel of restraint in our everyday lives: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” [James 1:19]. How do we engage with others on social media or in our conversations?Bishop Richard continues: 'Our words to one another reveal the secrets of our heart more than we realise.' Do we seek to be kind and loving in our interactions with all people? Bishop Richard suggests: 'If we are to raise the spiritual temperature of our common life we need to find ways of turning outwards: developing a sort of transcendent curiosity to what God is doing in the lives of others.... James' advice to listen is an encouragement to all of us to be quicker to seek the good of others than our own.'Bishop Richard's weekly video #208You can find a transcript of this week's video on the diocesan website.
In this week's video, Bishop Richard reflects on the ordination last weekend of five deacons and five priests in Hereford Cathedral.He says: 'A deacon is called to remind the whole people of God about the priority of service.... Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us that the primary task of ministry is not to do everything ourselves but to encourage the whole people of God to own their responsibilities as baptised Christians to live for Christ and make him known to others.''Ordained ministry exists to facilitate that effective ministry by everyone else.'Bishop Richard's weekly video message #207You can find a transcript of this week's video on the diocesan website.
As always, our Parish News is packed with stories from all our villages, a helpful listing of the many events in our parishes, wildlife notes, book reviews, lots of small ads, and of course a Chuckle Corner.You can click the DOWNLOAD link to view the Parish News in PDF format.
In his last video recorded a few weeks ago in Bahrain, Bishop Richard talks about camels -- and the pervasive influence of materialism in our culture.He says 'consumerism fuels insecurity and unhappiness.' ... So how might we model generosity? 'Don't spend more; give more away!' He concludes: 'Our Father is a generous God. May He help us to be the same.'Bishop Richard's weekly video message #205You can find a transcript of this week's video on the diocesan website.
