Bishop Saju was delighted to step into Melton Mowbray’s famed pie arena last week as he joined an esteemed panel of judges for this year’s prestigious British Pie Awards.
Held at St Mary’s Church in the market town, ITV’s This Morning programme and presenter chef Phil Vickery broadcast live from the event, beaming back to the studio and taking in the beautiful aspects of the church.
Throughout the morning, in public reflection and prayer, Bishop Saju highlighted gratitude, hospitality, and the creativity of everyday people whose craft brings us together and nourishes our communities.
Bishop Saju was invited to offer a blessing over the pies, for which he prayed:
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the gifts of this land, and for the hands that work with such care - farmers and butchers, bakers, drivers and makers, all whose craftsmanship turns simple ingredients into something nourishing to share.
We honour the heritage passed down through the generations - the recipes handed on, the stories, the skills refined, and the traditions that bind our communities together.
Bless all who create, all who gather, and all who celebrate today. May our shared table be filled with gratitude, joy, and generosity. And the blessing of God be with us, and with all whom we love, this day and always. Amen.
“When we create with care and gather in joy, we celebrate the deeper connections that unite us all,” Bishop Saju said.
Talking after the event, he added: “A personal highlight was meeting one of my heroes, Jonathan Agnew, one of the finest cricket commentators in the world, and sharing the delightful task of judging pies together.”
