Missionary bishop

While he has been working as the Mission Theologian for the Anglican Communion, travelling the globe, we have very much enjoyed having Bishop Graham Kings and his wife, Ali, as members of the congregation.

In addition, Graham has found time to preach and preside at St James, and led a memorable confirmation service for Bermondsey Deanery, as Bermondsey's very own resident bishop.

Now in retirement, Graham who has been a missionary, a theological college principal in Kenya, a vicar in Islington, and a bishop in Dorset, is taking on a new ministry as priest in charge of St Matthew's Church at the Elephant.

Tonight a group of us from Bermondsey attended a great launch service at the Elephant, which included four bishops, two archdeacons, the Mayor of Southwark, Sir Simon Hughes, and friends and supporters from many of the places where Graham has served, as well as the English-speaking congregation that meets at St Matthew's on Sunday mornings and the Spanish-speaking congregation which also has its home there.

We sang some great hymns (To God be the glory; Blessed assurance; Be still for the presence of theLord, We are marching (in English and Spanish), and it was a moving moment when the congregation said the Lord's Prayer together in both English and Spanish.

The Kings will still be living in Bermondsey but on Sunday mornings now they will be at St Matthew's. We shall miss them at St James, but we wish them God's richest blessing in their new role at the Elephant.

There's no doubt about it: Graham is a man with mission in his blood. To God be the glory!