As the Mothers’ Union celebrated 150 years of serving families and communities across the diocese, members held a Festival Service in Norwich Cathedral.
Bishop Graham’s sermon took the Gospel text “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” He spoke of the remarkable achievements of the Mothers’ Union and its inspirational ongoing work.
The theme of the service was Lighting the Way for the Generations to Come and Bishop Graham said: “‘Here am I; send me,’ is a dangerous prayer. It sounds inspiring in church. It’s less comfortable when it leads you into situations you didn’t plan, conversations you didn’t expect, or responsibilities you didn’t think you were capable of.
“It’s the kind of prayer that has led members of the Mothers’ Union into prisons, into refugee communities, into places of loneliness and hardship – places where light is needed most.”
In Norfolk and Waveney members have funded seaside breaks for families in need, given food and drink to the hungry and homeless, helped children maintain links with imprisoned fathers, supported couples marrying in churches and war refugees rebuilding shattered lives in Norfolk – and created magnificent church banners.
The Bishop took part in another joyful service at St Nicholas church, Dersingham, on Pentecost Sunday, where he confirmed several people and called it a “gloriously happy Pentecost confirmation.”
The following day he joined the National Pilgrimage at Walsingham.
At the beginning of May Bishop Graham attended the launch of the Jewish Living Experience exhibition in Norwich Synagogue. Designed for school groups, it gave visitors an insight into Judaism, supporting community cohesion and interfaith dialogue. The Bishop said: “May it inspire not only knowledge, but understanding; not only memory, but responsibility; not only dialogue, but lasting solidarity.”
He also joined local faith leaders from many backgrounds, including Christians, Muslims and Jews, in calling for acts of hope to triumph over hate and division.
Bishop Graham and his wife, Rachel, invited visitors into their garden in aid of local charities on three Sunday afternoons in May. The first three charity open afternoons of 2026 raised money for the Big C, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Magdalene Group. For more on visiting Bishop’s House Garden this summer click here.
Close to home, the Bishop also presided and preached at St Helen’s Church, Norwich, and his wife hosted a pudding party for clergy spouses and partners.
Bishop Graham and Rachel attended a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Bishop’s role as Lord High Almoner, co-ordinating the Maundy Thursday service where The King distributes Maundy money, includes being an honorary president of the Clergy Support Trust. The trust helps Anglican clergy and their families throughout their ministry and into retirement with financial and wellbeing support. Bishop Graham took part in its Festival Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The following day he attended the State Opening of Parliament and afterwards said: “A busy legislative programme lies ahead following this morning’s King’s Speech given amidst an increasingly dangerous and volatile world. I suspect I will be much involved with the legislation to clean-up the water industry, as well as the proposed Energy Independence Bill and Armed Forces Bill.” That afternoon he gave a tribute to Lord Gardiner, the retiring Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords.
Earlier in the month his 100th birthday tribute to David Attenborough led to an interview on Radio 4.
Bishop Graham joined The House of Bishops meeting in York, where items on the agenda included clergy well-being, trends in church attendance, and understanding and responding to the climate and environmental crises. And at the end of the month he preached a sermon tying in tartan, the Last Supper, saints, and the warp and weft of parish and diocesan life at the installation of Rt Revd Dagmar Winter as Bishop of Edinburgh.
