Representatives from every parish across Bath and Wells attended the service, young and old. Members of clergy together with parish lay representatives and guests from local schools, businesses, and civic society. All were encouraged by Bishop Michael to “…..be people who long for a harvest - a world transformed into a place of peace, fairness, service, justice, loving-kindness.”
The hazel saplings are a symbol of a commitment to everyone to turn words into action.
Preaching on the reading from the Book of Acts Bishop Michael said in his sermon that his gift was an example of just one of the things we can do to bring about the harvest of God’s life into God’s world and asked all those present “will you plant a sapling as a sign that under God each of us, in every place, can play our part in working for change, for transformation, for life. Small actions that when we undertake them together make a big difference.”
As well as the offer of receiving a hazel sapling, attendees received information on where best to plant the sapling as well as updates on the environmental work of churches in Bath and Wells, including their Wilder Churches project with the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
In a service marked with tradition and symbolism Rt Revd Michael Beasley, was installed 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells. For the service Bishop Michael wore the Coronation Cope; originally commissioned for the Coronation of HRH Edward VII in 1902, and worn by the Bishops of Bath and Wells at the three subsequent coronations, his Oath of Allegiance to the King was taken on Bishop Robert Creyghtone’s Bible which dates back to 1633, and he received the 15th century episcopal ring.
Commenting after the service Revd Louise Bale said, “My favourite bit of the service was when the doors of the Cathedral were opened and Bishop Michael stepped out and blessed the city and the diocese because that’s where it’s important to be.” Other said it was a wonderful service and felt “uplifted” by Bishop Michael’s encouragement for us all to work together to make a difference in the world.
Bishop Michael said, “As we’ve heard so much in the last few days, amongst the biggest challenges we face as citizens of the earth is the climate catastrophe that advances upon us. So as an example of just one of the things we can do to bring about the harvest of God’s life into God’s world, I invite you to take home from this place - a sapling. A hazel that will grow, offer shelter to birds and creatures, capture carbon, hold moisture in the soil. Our world has so many needs – of poverty, of hunger, of disease, of hardness of heart. As a way of marking this day will you plant a sapling as a sign that under God each of us, in every place, can play our part in working for change, for transformation, for life. Small actions that when we undertake them together make a big difference.”
You can download a copy of Bishop Michael's sermon from the bottom of this page.
A phrase that has stuck with Bishop Michael from the service when he became a bishop is ‘bishops know their people and their people know them’. As he seeks to live out that sentiment, rather than make a conventional car journey home after attending Morning Prayer at Bath Abbey on the morning of his installation, Bishop Michael took a different approach, meeting church goers, those who support their communities and representatives from the business and farming community along the way.
From the Abbey he set out on foot to catch the bus to Odd Down Park & Ride. From there he travelled by car to Peasedown St John before swapping to an electric bike to ride through the village to the Hive Community Centre. After meeting members of the local community, the local PCSO then picked him up and took Bishop Michael in his police car to Stratton-on-the-Fosse, where he then swapped to a tractor to take him to meet staff at the Mulberry factory in Chilcompton. For the final leg of the journey, local haulage firm Massey Wilcox provided a vintage lorry which dropped him back into Wells in time to prepare for the service.
Enjoy more photos from the day on the Bath and Wells Facebook page.
Take a look at some of the Tweets from the day.
Find out more about his morning activities.