Rev'd Beverly, our Foundation Chaplain, was honoured to anoint Bishop Michael at his Installation

November 12th 2022

Rev'd Beverly, our Foundation Chaplain, was honoured to anoint Bishop Michael at his Installation...

Last Saturday, the Diocese of Bath & Wells held a service to welcome and install the new Bishop of Bath & Wells, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Beasley. I was honoured to be asked by Bishop Michael to anoint him during the service. It’s also worth noting that as a school, we are delighted to be welcoming Bishop Michael to King’s on Saturday 3^rd December to take our Service of Confirmation!

A Bit About Bishop Michael:

Bishop Michael was Bishop of Hertford, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of St Albans from May 2015 to June 2022. Prior to that he had served at Westcott House, Cambridge, an Anglican theological college, first as chaplain and then as a tutor and the college's vice-principal. During this time, he was also an academic of Imperial College London. Between 2010 to 2015 he was Director of Mission for the Diocese of Oxford. Bishop Michael is also an epidemiologist and played a key role in the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group. Indeed, he played a significant role setting up the UNICEF ‘VaccinAid’ public campaign to help fund almost two billion COVID-19 vaccines for health workers and vulnerable people around the world. Bishop Michael is already familiar with Somerset. His wife Lizzie is from a farming family from Somerset and prior to Bishop Michael being interviewed for the role of Bishop of Bath and Wells, they both undertook a 60 mile walk around the county.

What Is A Bishop?

Being a bishop might at a cursory glance look like holding a position of power and status. However, the Bible and the church’s liturgy make it clear that a bishop is called to lead in serving and caring for the people of God. Moreover, they are to work with the people in their diocese to provide oversight of the Church. In doing so they are called to be merciful, but with firmness, and to minister discipline, but with mercy. Bishops are also called to maintain and further the unity of the Church and to guard its faith. They are also called to promote mission throughout the world. It is their duty to watch over and pray for the people under their care. Crucially, bishops are called to know their people and be known by them. Bishops will also ordain and send new ministers, alongside baptising and confirming people. Furthermore, bishops must have a special care for the outcast and needy.

What Exactly Is Anointing A Bishop About?

Behind all the tradition, pomp, and circumstance of the installation service sits a crucial message: like every minister in the church, a bishop must remember that at the core of their identity they are like another Christian, someone trusting in God’s goodness and grace seen through the cross of Christ. Thus, the words used during the anointing reminded Bishop Michael to, “Remember that at your baptism you were signed with the cross of Christ. Rejoice in God’s goodness and grace and remain faithful to him, walking with us in the life of the Spirit. May God give you grace to continue in his way.” In everyday language you could put it like this: “Keep going just like you started - trusting in God’s goodness and grace and not seeking to live by your own power and might.”

We very much look forward to Bishop Michael coming to King’s for our Service of Confirmation on Saturday 3^rd December - we are holding him in our prayers.

Rev’d George Beverly - Foundation Chaplain