In a special service at Wells Cathedral on Saturday, 12 November the Right Reverend Michael Beasley will become the 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells.
People from across the diocese will be taking part in the service and every parish in Bath and Wells will be represented, along with guests from local schools, businesses, and civic society. The service will be streamed live on the Diocese of Bath and Wells Facebook page so anyone across the diocese can watch at home or gather together as a church community.
Bishop Michael says, “It’s an astonishing privilege to be called to be the 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells. I’m humbled to serve in a role which has seen so much of our country’s history. I’m even more humbled to have the honour of serving alongside all the different communities and churches of Somerset who will take part in the installation service and activities.”
The formalities begin with Bishop Michael walking from the Bishop’s Palace in Wells to Wells Cathedral with a group of young people who took part in the process to select the new bishop. On arrival at the Cathedral Bishop Michael will be greeted by a young person before the Very Reverend John Davies Dean of Wells gives the formal welcome and legal declarations are made, the first of a number of historic and symbolic rituals included in the service.
Bishop Michael will make his Oath of Allegiance to the King on Bishop Robert Creyghtone’s Bible (1633) before kneeling at the nave sanctuary steps, where he will be anointed with consecrated oil by the Revd Narinder Tegally, Lead Chaplain, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust; retired priest the Revd Pam Cuff and recently ordained curate and school chaplain, Revd George Beverly. He will then receive the episcopal ring from the Revd Dr Jonathan Pye, Chair of the Bristol District of the Methodist Church and Churches Together in Somerset. The ring dates from the 15th century and was first worn by, and buried with, former Bishop of Bath and Wells, Thomas Beckynton.
The Dean of Wells will then ask the Archdeacon of Canterbury, who represents the Archbishop of Canterbury at the service, to seat Bishop Michael in the Bishop’s cathedra (the bishop’s chair), officially installing him as the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Following the formalities a child will address the bishop reminding him that “Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ Bishop Michael, always remember you are first a child of God.”
This will be followed by the bishop being welcomed by Mohammed Sadiq, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, the Right Revd Dr Derek Kamukwamba, Bishop of Central Zambia as well people from across the diocese, representing different aspects of the life of the church in Bath and Wells; from running foodbanks, supporting refugees and caring for the environment, to those responsible for safeguarding, education and youth work.
After the service, attendees will be invited to enjoy some Somerset refreshments of apple juice and honey cake made with Somerset honey from bees kept by Bishop Michael’s father-in-law Ken Jeanes. Bishop Michael, who is himself is a bee-keeper and co-owner of a small wood, has a keen interest in the environment and that will be reflected throughout the service.