Surprise Visit by New Bishop of Bedford

Our 6pm Holy Communion service on Sunday 13th April 2003 saw a very welcome 'surprise visit' from the new Bishop of Bedford, Richard Inwood.

Bishop Richard had kindly agreed, at short notice, to stand in for Malcolm Lesiter who was unfortunataly unable to attend.

In his address, Bishop Richard spoke about the events of the first Palm Sunday, and the different reactions of people to Jesus:

• Some offered what they had for him to use (donkey, cloaks, palm branches)
• Some welcomed him with shouts of praise to God
• Some rejected him as too much of a threat to their power, positions and commercial interests
• Many were simply confused and didn't know how to react

All of these reactions to Jesus are still with us today.

"As we journey through Holy Week let us serve, praise and put right any wrong priorities and attitudes, and try to understand more of God's amazing love"

Source: Jenny Dann
Date: 13th April 2003

 Background

Bedford's new Bishop, The Venerable Richard Inwood (previously the Archdeacon of Halifax, West Yorkshire) made headline news in March 2003 by becoming the first Bishop to be consecrated by the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams.

Richard Inwood has oversight of 150 parishes in Luton and Bedfordshire, under the direction of the Bishop of St Albans. He succeeds the Rt Revd John Richardson, who retired in July after more than eight years as Bishop.

Married with three grown-up daughters, Bishop Richard has been ordained for 28 years. He served in Sheffield, London, Bath and Yeovil, before becoming Archdeacon of Halifax in 1995.

Before ordination, Bishop Richard spent a year teaching in north-west Uganda and worked as a research and development chemist with ICI in Manchester for nearly two years.

He read Chemistry at University College, Oxford, and later, Theology at Nottingham University.

Speaking of his new role, he said: "It's a challenging and exciting prospect and a great responsibility. It's a great privilege too, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know the parishes of the diocese and of Luton and Bedfordshire in particular."

"I hope, as Bishop, to be an interpreter, bringing a sense of God and his presence to places where there is little awareness of him. I would hope to open people’s eyes to what the church is really for and what Jesus Christ is offering them. I also want to offer support and care to the clergy, who are under increasing pressure today."

Source: Adapted from original articles published on the St Albans Diocese Website

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