Friday 2 May 2014

With news that the new Bishop of Bath and Wells will live in the Palace, a comment from the episcopal doormat:


THE EPISCOPAL DOORMAT

I hear that they know my threshold - the one where in future I’ll serve:
The place of coming and going, of greetings and farewells.

‘Beautiful feet’ shall know my fibres taking the damp, the muck, the grit
From their soles as they enter in to meet my Bishop, and his Lord -

Who washed the feet of His friends: the one’s He called to serve.
To people, all coming and going, my greeting shall be in Wells.

My Bishop shall show his fibre: sharing the tears, the hopes, the fears
Of the souls who enter in to meet with him, and his Lord.

I’m only a humble doormat: offering a practical welcome,
A simple role of service that’s all that I can do.

I have no beauty or attraction, many will not notice me at all,
Taking the damp, the muck, the grit of greetings and farewells.

And caressing the daily rhythm as my Bishop walks to prayer:
Spending time with his Lord and with his servant friends.

“The Lord defend his going out and his coming in, now and always”

Saturday 15 February 2014

http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2014/02/house-of-bishops-pastoral-guidance-on-same-sex-marriage.aspx