A Somerset welcome
Bishop Peter was officially installed as Bishop of Bath and Wells at a special service at Wells Cathedral on 7 June 2014.
Providing leadership
Bishop Peter has presided over 18 synods, his first of which was at Weston-super-Mare, where he enjoyed fish and chips on the pier with the then Bishop of Taunton, Peter Maurice.
Changing faces
During his time as Bishop of Bath and Wells, he has been supported by two Bishops of Taunton, with Bishop Ruth taking on the role in October 2015 (Ruth Worsley and Peter Maurice). He has also been served by six archdeacons (John Reed, Andy Piggott, Nicola Sullivan, Simon Hill, Anne Gell and Adrian Youings), two deans (John Clarke and John Davies) and three diocesan secretaries (Nick Denison, Nick May, Sharon Kindleysides).
Telling the story
Bishop Peter spent his first year travelling widely around the diocese: listening and learning from Rural Deans, Lay Chairs, parish priests, Readers, churchwardens and many others both within and outside the life of the church. He shared his new vision for the diocese, “In response to God’s immense love for us, we seek to be God’s people living and telling the story of Jesus” in July 2016.
A visit from Archbishop Justin
Bishop Peter hosted the Most Revd Justin Welby on a three-day visit to the diocese in November 2016. The visit saw them travel across the diocese, meeting the farming community, college and university students and young families. The visit also included a prayer walk up Glastonbury Tor, a service at Wells Cathedral, a tour of Bath Abbey’s Footprint project and a Q&A session in Frome.
Celebrating 40 years of friendship
In April 2018 Bishop Peter joined people from across the diocese on a trip to Zambia to celebrate 40 years of our link with Zambia. Speaking of the 40 years of friendship he said, “At the heart of the link there is a commitment to learn from one another. To share with one another what God by His Holy Spirit is doing among us; to encourage each other; to support each other and also to pray for one another.”
The Bishop’s Palace
In September 2018 Bishop Peter, the 79th Bishop of Bath and Wells, unveiled his official portrait, which was painted by local artist Richard Shepherd. The picture hangs alongside his predecessors in the Bishop’s Palace, Wells. Bishop Peter also introduced the role of Palace Pastor, who is responsible for developing the pastoral and mission potential of the medieval site.
Moments to celebrate
During his time as Bishop, he has seen 1,327 people confirmed and 73 priests ordained.
Safeguarding
Bishop Peter was the lead bishop for safeguarding for the Church of England from 2016 until February 2020. He also presided over the first service for safeguarding officers in the diocese, attended by over 100 people from around the diocese.
Supporting rural Somerset
Bishop Peter has been a great supporter of rural life and farmers during his time in Somerset. He was a regular at the Bath & West Show, visited farming families and attended agricultural markets.
Inside and outside Church
As well as joining in worship with many church communities in the diocese over the years, Bishop Peter has also ensured that he has been Bishop of Bath and Wells ‘outside a church setting.’ He has encouraged the growth in the number of chaplains in the diocese and seen nine pioneering ministers appointed. In June 2020 he undertook a series of pilgrimages on foot around the diocese, as churches begin to reopen after the first lockdown, praying for the communities he passes through.
The voice of the diocese
Bishop Peter has written countless articles for our parish magazines, local newspapers and a familiar voice on BBC Somerset and other local radio and television stations.
Schools
Bishop Peter will hugely miss the visits he has made to schools, colleges and universities. He said, “To see young people learning, exploring and thinking about the world we live in has been a joy. I have been particularly delighted to be shown around schools, meeting the pupils and seeing how excited they are about what they are doing.”
