Revd James Pickersgill was licensed as Bishop's Chaplain by Bishop Martyn in a service in the Chapel at Launde Abbey which saw him presented with a surprising range of gifts representing the Christian ministry he has been called to including:
- A prayer book and diocesan Calendar of Prayer with a call from Archdeacon Richard to be a person of prayer among us
- A Bible and a packet of seeds as encouragement to be a preacher of the Word of God and a sign of the Gospel message that we are to sow together in the world
- A Safeguarding Handbook and hand sanitiser as signs that Christ's Church is to be a place of protection and safety for all, especially the vulnerable
- A laptop and pen as a reminder that administration is a spiritual gift appointed by God
- A hammock and cricket ball as signs of rest and renewal to remind him of the importance of encouraging wellbeing
- A globe and a plant as reminders of our call to care for God's creation
- A waiter's cloth and coffee cup as a reminder to practice hospitality
- A cross and oil as signs of the ministry of reconciliation and healing, bringing wholeness to all God's people in the power of Christ
The photo above shows James with his wife Catherine and Bishop Martyn and the gifts presented to James on the altar (also shown below). You can read more about James here.
James shared with those gathered to witness his licensing a diocesan Communion pot that he had been given, which had once been broken but was glued back together. He described it as 'our own Kinsuki' after the Japanese pottery in which cracks are repaired with gold or silver and are often seen as representing the beauty of accepting our own brokenness and being useful despite it. James said: "I come as I am, broken and flawed but restored and healed by Christ."
You cn contact James on:
0116 2703390
bishops.chaplain@leicestercofe.org
