The Right Reverend Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh attended his final services at St Mary\u2019s Cathedral on 24 August, as he bid farewell at a beautiful Choral Evensong to mark the end of his 13 years as Bishop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cathedral was packed for the special occasion, leading Bishop John to comment that \u201cwhen I got to church and saw so many people, I thought they had got the time wrong for the organ recital at 5pm\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The service also saw the Valediction of St Mary\u2019s Cathedral Choristers, with five members thanks for their service to the Cathedral and its worship as they departed. Fittingly, the choir then led the congregation in prayer with Stanford\u2019s Evening Service in C with a demonstration of their renowned musical excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a presentation to the Bishop to show the appreciation of the Diocese for his service, the Dean, the Very Rev Frances Burberry, paid touching tribute with reflections which prompted both laughter and tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere was a church celebrating its 100th<\/sup> anniversary, and the bishop was visiting for the big occasion,\u201d began the Dean. \u201cDuring the service, the rector called all the children to the front for a short talk. It was one of those lovely unpredictable moments that we all enjoy in church\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn trying to get the children to think about the significance of the day, the rector asked: \u2018Does anyone know what the bishop does?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere was a long pause, and then one child\u2019s hand was thrust into the air, full of confidence as he declared: \u2018I know what the bishop does. The bishop moves diagonally!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA few of us here, Bishop John, have seen you moving diagonally in a Strathspey Reel. But more seriously, you have travelled the length and breadth of this diocese, faithfully, tirelessly and with great compassion. Whether it has been a grand celebration in this cathedral church, or a smaller gathering in the Lothians, borders or the city, you have been present to us. You have listened and questioned. You have encouraged and challenged. You have laughed with us, you have cried with us, you have prayed with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou have been a bishop not just in title but in the truer sense to us, shepherd to your flock, and a guide through times of joy and of uncertainty. And yes, even occasionally, someone who has moved diagonally, finding a new path when the straight road didn\u2019t quite lead to where it needed to go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dean then paid tribute to Clare, the wife of the Bishop, for the support she has given Bishop John throughout his ministry, and especially through the past 13 years. \u201cHer quiet strength, deep faith and gracious presence have been a blessing not just to you, but to all of us,\u201d said the Dean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Returning to Bishop John, she continued: \u201cToday, we simply want to say \u2018thank you\u2019. Thank you for your faithful service, your steady leadership, your gentle presence, your humour, and the care you have shown to us over so many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou have held the office of Bishop of Edinburgh with great dignity, insight and wisdom. And what stood out for many of us was how deeply you valued and affirmed every part of the church in this diocese, embracing its diversity and nurturing its unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor all this and more, we are deeply grateful, and as you and Clare embark on this new chapter in your life, we pray that God will richly bless you with joy, peace and renewed strength. May God\u2019s grace continue to guide and uphold you every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In response, Bishop John paid a deep and emotional tribute to his wife and family, and expressed his gratitude to all who had come to share the occasion with him, including \u201ceveryone who has put on such a beautiful occasion, with a genuine sense of worship in God. Thank you for being here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added: \u201cAlthough the role of bishop may at times be a lonely one, I have never been alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, recalling some correspondence with a PhD student who, as a result of a typo, told him they were writing their thesis on \u2018Dessert\u2019 Spirituality, Bishop John painted a picture of life as three courses \u2013 the main course was now almost over, and, after a pause to let the food settle, he and Clare now had the opportunity to study the dessert menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He concluded: \u201cAll of us are called to work out with God what it means, within the context and constraints of our own existence, to live the Good Life. And that includes how we approach the ending of this life and the knowledge that we shall at some point receive our \u2018just desserts\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith this in mind, I apologise to any who may have been hurt or disappointed by my ministry. A bishop is, as Rowan Williams put it, \u2018a deeply unreliable ally\u2019 and this bishop, like all bishops, is fallible and likely to disappoint \u2013 which is why an election every so often is a thoroughly good thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt the Diocesan Day in May, I shared my belief that this diocese is in a good place and that the rumour of God is alive and well, that people within the church and beyond the church are finding a new sense of God\u2019s presence and purpose. I am almost envious of my successor, whoever she or he or they may be, to have the thrill of leading this diocese in this church in this nation at this time\u2026 almost<\/em> envious. But I know the time is right to stop, that this is God\u2019s time for me and for the diocese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe next few months are going to be oddly challenging. Clare and I will often feel bereft. But it\u2019s been wonderful, these past years, so many memories, so many friends, so many precious lessons in what it means to follow Jesus along the Way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you so much, and as we continue along that Way, now in a different relationship with one another, if you can find time to pray for Clare and me we shall be immensely grateful \u2013 and please be assured that we shall most certainly pray for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image by kind permission of Peter Backhouse.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Right Reverend Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh attended his final services at St Mary\u2019s Cathedral on 24 August, as he bid farewell at a beautiful Choral Evensong to mark the end of his 13 years as Bishop. 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