Farewell to Graham & Ali

For the last two years we have been delighted to have Bishop Graham Kings and his wife, Ali, as part of the congregation of St James.

Graham has been working as the Mission Theologian for the Anglican Communion in a project set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

He has been working from Lambeth Palace, living in Bermondsey, and, when he is not travelling the globe, worshipping at St James.

He has also led services for us, preached, taken school assemblies at St James's school, and presided over a memorable deanery confirmation service.

Now Graham is moving tio a new phase of his ministry and today we bade a fond farewell to him and Ali. He is sort of retiring, and I say 'sort of' advisedly because it looks like he is going to be almost as busy as usual in his new roles.

One new aspect of his new role will be a Sunday and part midweek responsibility for St Matthew's Church at the Elephant - that's why we will no longer seeing them at St James on Sunday - but we are all invited to Graham's licensing at St Matthew's on 3rd September at 6pm.

Today we thanked them for being part of our church family, gave them our congratulations on their Ruby Wedding Anniversary, and prayed for them in their new role, echoing the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1: 'I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.'