Latest news with #SophieJelley
BBC News
20-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
City feels like home, says new Bishop of Coventry Sophie Jelley
The new Bishop of Coventry has told how she wants to see congregations grow at churches in the area and how the city already feels like Right Reverend Sophie Jelley was officially installed as Coventry's first female bishop in February and moved to the Midlands in May. She began work two weeks ago."To see churches flourish and grow is something that I've been involved in since I became a Christian when I was a teenager." She said she had a strong commitment that all churches with the right support can grow," said Bishop Jelley. She took on the role after Dr Christopher Cocksworth left to become the Dean of Windsor. But Bishop Jelley added: "It's God who gives the growth and we can't always predict that."Speaking to BBC Radio CWR, she described how she was ordained in 1997 and in many of the roles she has taken on since, she has been the first woman in the post."I've been so warmly welcomed that it's been received as a good thing, I think, so far," she added: "Just the warmth of the people has been tremendous and I think that's not so much about gender but just the warmth of the Midlands people really." Before she became its bishop, she had been to Coventry once in her life, she 20th Century cathedral stands alongside the ruins of the original Cathedral of St Michael, which was built between the late 14th and 15th old cathedral was destroyed during the World War Two blitz, in said the first time she saw the cathedral, she was in "awe", adding: "Nothing can prepare you for the story as you walk through from the ruins to the new cathedral." Remembering how she stood in front of Coventry's brightly-coloured Baptistery Window, Bishop Jelley said it reminded her of a place of worship at Sussex University called The Meeting said her father, as a mature student, took her there regularly when she was aged five or six."I loved it in there and it had a similar feel," she said."It was very odd, as if God had been weaving the story of my life… As I stood in front of that window, I felt like I was home." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
First female Bishop of Coventry installed
Coventry's first female Bishop has been officially installed during a service at the city's cathedral. The Right Reverend Sophie Jelley, the tenth Bishop of Coventry, was welcomed by three young people from schools in the diocese as the service began on Saturday afternoon. Previously the Bishop of Doncaster, she has taken on responsibility for 201 parishes across Warwickshire and Coventry. Bishop Jelley has succeeded the Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, who left the diocese in November last year. The cathedral bells rang and a choir of children from eight local schools sang as dignitaries including MPs, council and business leaders assembled for the service. The bishop, escorted by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, led the Litany of Reconciliation from the cathedral ruins before proceeding through the main building's doors, which were thrown wide open in welcome. During the service, Bishop Jelley took oaths of allegiance and obedience before receiving the Diocesan Crozier - a curved staff - from the High Altar where it was placed by her predecessor when he left in 2023. She gave her inaugural sermon before enjoying a performance of Sing, written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber, from the combined schools choir. The bishop was then presented with symbolic gifts representative of the diocese's heritage, including a jar of honey from a local farmer and a goose quill from Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The service finished with an episcopal blessing. Bishop Jelley, who is married and has three grown-up children, said on her appointment she looked forward to sharing "the story of God's love with the people of Coventry and Warwickshire". Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. First female Bishop of Coventry announced Diocese of Coventry
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Musical mum Leah Vasey-Saunders named as next Bishop of Doncaster
A "lifelong musician" and mother-of-four said it was "humbling and joyful" to be appointed as the next bishop of Rev Leah Vasey-Saunders - currently vicar of Lancaster Priory - was confirmed in the role by Downing Street after the King approved her 47-year-old will be the eighth bishop of Doncaster, and said: "I have a particular heart for the north - its grit and grace and for working-class, post-industrial communities where I've seen God's spirit move in powerful ways... I come ready to listen, to learn."Ms Vasey-Saunders succeeds the Rt Rev Sophie Jelley as the Suffragan to the Bishop of Sheffield, meaning she will assist the Sheffield diocesan bishop. As Suffragan Ms Vasey-Saunders will work across the Sheffield diocese, but with a primary focus on of Sheffield the Rt Rev Dr Pete Wilcox said he was "absolutely delighted by Leah's appointment".He said: "Leah is a born pastor, who forms partnerships easily and I know people across South Yorkshire and the East Riding (both within the Church of England and beyond it) will quickly warm to her and trust her." 'Joy, connection and hope' Archbishop of York the Most Rev & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell added: "This is a really exciting appointment."Leah has a heart for people, a passion for worship, and a vision of Church as a place of joy, connection, and hope."Ms Vasey-Saunders has been the vicar of Lancaster Priory since 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the chaired the Facing the Past project, which examined Lancaster's historic links to the transatlantic slave is married to the Rev Dr Mark Vasey-Saunders and they have four new bishop will be consecrated at York Minster on 16 September and installed at Sheffield Cathedral on 20 September. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
