Bishop Hugh enjoys tour of Pershore and Evesham deanery

Bishop Hugh enjoyed a tour of Pershore and Evesham deanery yesterday, as he continues to get to know the churches and communities of our diocese. He visited six churches in total including in Hanbury, North Littleton, Inkberrow, Evesham, Bengeworth and Bredon Hill. He also visited Hampton Farm Shop and Offenham CE First School.

Pictured are his visits to the school and the community café at St Peter’s Bengeworth.

At Offenham CE First School Bishop Hugh joined in with collective worship which featured some lively iSingPOP songs. He then took part in a Q&A session with the children quizzing him on everything from his favourite bible story, to what he likes about living in Worcester, to where his got his ring and cross from. (It’s from Etsy and only cost £10!) Two students then prayed over him. The students also taught the bishop how to seal a prayer in the palm of their hands before sending it up to heaven. Before he left, Bishop Hugh blessed the school and all its students, sealing this blessing as he’d been shown.

Headteacher Jayne Nicol said:

"It was such a pleasure to welcome Bishop Hugh to our school. We enjoyed a joyful time of worship together and we loved learning more about him. Our SMSC pupil leaders, Leah and Emily, prayed for and laid hands-on Bishop Hugh, asking God to bless him in his calling to Bishop of Worcester"

Later in his tour, Bishop Hugh visited ‘The Point’, a community café that takes place weekly on Tuesdays at St Peter’s Bengeworth. St Peter’s were also marking the café’s first birthday and taking the opportunity to thank their volunteers, who bake and serve the cakes and engage those visiting. Here Bishop Hugh chatted with members of the community who visit the café regularly. He also led their midday prayer and was presented with his very own mug featuring ‘The Point’ branding!

Bishop Hugh said:

“It was great to visit churches, schools and community groups across Pershore and Evesham deanery. I met children learning to bell-ring, saw churches that are thriving and churches that are struggling, and met so many faithful people who are serving God and the community! The worship at Offenham School was particularly special, filled with reverence, beauty and joy, and I also learnt a lot about the Archers!”