[Magdalen] Anyone Here?

[Michael Bishop]

I too am still here. I retired from full time ministry in September 2017 
and now live in retirement in Keyworth Nottinghamshire in the Diocese of 
Southwell & Nottingham. I do take a few services - mostly in a nearby 
group of parishes which is at present without a priest.One of the 
churches has a major claim to fame - St John of Beverley, Whatton is the 
church of the parish in which Thomas Cranmer was born, baptised and 
worshipped as a child. His parents are buried in the churchyard. Perhaps 
unsurprisingly the congrgation is very proud of this and strictly adhere 
to the forms of service BCP of 1662 which is largely as prepared by Cranmer.

Last week I celebrated the 47th anniversary of my being ordained priest 
at Southwell Minster the cathedral of this diocese. It is amazing how 
time has flown.

Life is mostly very quiet, but one event which I especially enjoy is the 
twice a year week of helping to lead "Time Travelling" in Southwell 
Minster. This attracts around 500 per day schoolchildren of infant and 
junior school age for a week. They spend their time being taken around 
the Minster and learning about various aspects of the Christian faith 
and of the history and life of the cathedral. For some of the children 
it is their first time in a church. For all, it is an amazing experience 
of being in the 900 year old church. Both teachers and children clearly 
thoroughly the experience. The same goes for the large band of 
volunteers (including me) who lead and join in the activities.

I am still trying to get used to the quiet of retirement - and of 
course, having moved away from my former parishes. I could only return 
to them by specific invitation of their current clergy. I was in my last 
post for over 20 years, and it was a big thing for me to retire from there.

God bless

.....
.....
Michael Bishop
rev at michaelbishop.name