Saying farewell to Bishop David

After 16 years, the Rt Revd David Urquhart is preparing to retire from the post of Bishop of Birmingham. Bishop David’s final service, in which he will lay down the Birmingham Crosier, will take place in the presence of invited guests at St Philip’s Cathedral on Tuesday 18 October. The service will also be live-streamed on the Cathedral’s YouTube Channel (Link HERE).

Ahead of his retirement, each Deanery in the Church of England Diocese of Birmingham is to hold a Farewell event, comprising of a service and time to share. All are welcome to attend the Farewell gatherings:

• Aston and Sutton Coldfield Deanery – 6.00pm to 8.00pm on Tuesday 6 September at St James,’ Mere Green B75 5BW
• Warley and Edgbaston Deanery – 6.00pm to 8.00pm on Wednesday 7 September at Rounds Green St James,’ Shelsey Avenue, Oldbury B69 1BG
• Coleshill and Polesworth Deanery – 6.00pm to 8.00pm on Wednesday 21 September, venue to be confirmed
• Yardley and Solihull Deanery – 6.00pm to 8.00pm on Thursday 22 September at St Peter’s, Balsall Common CV7 7EA
• Handsworth and Central Deanery – 6.00pm to 9.00pm on Tuesday 27 September, venue to be confirmed
• Moseley and Shirley Deanery – Time, date and venue to be confirmed

Those wishing to contribute to a Diocesan collection to express appreciation for Bishop David’s ministry in Birmingham are asked to do so by 30 September, using the following details:

• Account name: Birmingham Diocese Board of Finance
• Sort Code: 12-05-65
• Account number: 00151606
• Reference: CofEB – +David farewell

Following Bishop David’s retirement, the Rt Revd Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston, will be authorised by the Archbishop of Canterbury as Commissary Bishop until a new Bishop of Birmingham is enthroned. Bishop Anne will continue her episcopal ministry and oversight of the Diocese alongside her role as Bishop of Aston.