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People from parishes across the city and county will be coming together to give a warm welcome to the new Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler. Following his installation at Southwell Minster on Saturday (27th February) the doors are open at two further welcome events this month, when the Bishop will join in the services of celebration and will also preach. Churches are being encouraged to cancel their own evening services for the next two Sundays to join in with the special welcome events. The first will be at St Mary’s, Nottingham on Sunday 7th March and the second will be at Worksop Priory on Sunday 14th March - both services will start at 4pm and all are welcome, no tickets required. Both services will be followed by refreshments for all, when Bishop Paul will be able to meet people more informally. As part of the service, the Bishop will be handed visual symbols of his ministry which will include a Bible, a prayer book, a vessel of water, a chalice and a towel, all representing different aspects of his duties as a bishop, from teaching and praying to leading worship, celebrating communion and serving. Priest-in-Charge at All Saints, St Mary & St Peter, the Revd Christopher Harrison said: “I am sure that the churches of Nottingham and the surrounding area are delighted to have this opportunity to welcome our new diocesan bishop at the beginning of what we hope will be a constructive partnership, as we seek to develop God's ministry in this rapidly changing city.” A peel of bells will be rung at Worksop Priory from 1pm to mark the occasion, and Priest-in-Charge, the Revd Nicholas Spicer, said: “We are all looking forward to welcoming Bishop Paul and Rosemary to Worksop Priory. It will be a good to come together from across the town and the area to celebrate his appointment and hear his message in person.” Local school children from the Priory Primary School will also join in the welcome service, performing various musical items, while the Bishop greets people during part of the service. The Bishop will also be visiting clergy and ministers across the diocese in the coming six months, meeting with many in their homes and also joining with church members for ‘meet the bishop’ evenings for groups of parishes.
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