News Desk
A letter from the Bishop of Ely, the Rt Revd Stephen Sykes, to all clergy in the Diocese of Ely
14 April 1999
I want to let you know, a little before its public announcement, which will be on Sunday 18 April, that I am to leave the Diocese of Ely to be the next Principal of St. John's College, Durham, as from 1 September 1999.
The invitation from the College Council, which I received just before Easter, comes after nine years of immensely happy ministry here. Though it involves what for Joy and me will be a painful separation from friends and a community who have supported their bishop and his family with loyalty and affection, my sense is of God's call to another task of leadership among young people and of teaching the faith.
St. John's College is a unique community combining an independent hall of 350 students within the University of Durham, and an Anglican Theological College, Cranmer Hall. I served as President of its College Council for many years and deeply appreciated its ethos and contribution.
To learn and to teach the faith is an integral part of a bishop's ministry. In the diocese to which I am going, I am generously invited to be an assistant bishop. In addition some of my national and international responsibilities will continue, for example that of being Chairman of the Church of England Doctrine Commission. Other duties, of course, especially those connected with the House of Bishops, will come to an end, though not the friendships and contacts made and experience gained in my years in this diocese. They will be available to the College and University of which I am to be part, not least in the training of new clergy for service in the Church of England.
Though the notice is very short, and the timing in some respects inconvenient, I am convinced that the diocese enjoys in Bishop John and the bishop's team strong and confident leadership; the plans for our observance of the millennium are well advanced, and there is much to look forward to in the next five years. Most importantly the 67th bishop will hand on to the 68th a diocese in which the apostolic gospel is faithfully preached and the sacraments are faithfully celebrated.
I want to express to you, and through you to the parishes of the diocese and other bodies, with which you are in contact, my sense of gratitude for so much help on the pathway of discipleship of our risen Lord.
This information will not be available to the news media until 12 noon on Sunday 18 April, in order to provide an opportunity for all churchgoers on Sunday morning to hear the news first from you.
With every blessing at this Eastertide,
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18th April 1999
