Sapling signs of hope

Published on: 24 February 2022

Ecology student Ben Knights first set eyes on the hazel saplings while on placement in the Bishop’s Garden.

“I was asked to water them, but didn’t know what they were for,” he remembers ruefully. To his surprise, he found himself being given one soon after!

“For me, the pandemic revealed what’s really important,” he explains. “I attended lots of virtual services at my church in Taverham and then in-person ones, all of which strengthened my faith and its place in my life. Supported by the clergy there and my friend Rowan, I journeyed towards baptism and confirmation.”

It was after Bishop Graham (also an ecologist) had confirmed Ben last November that he gave him the hazel sapling. All confirmands across our diocese are now given this carbon-capturing gift, a powerful symbol of the relationship between our faith in the Creator and our care of creation. “There’s such hope in a young tree,” Ben reflects.

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Spring 2022

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Queen’s Jubilee

“Pray for me … that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve him and you, all the days of my life.

Emerging communities

I asked Phil Courtier, Director for South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils, how we should pray for people like him – our local leaders and civic workers – as they help to shape the places in which we live.

Praying for Secondary School students

George is a GCSE student in a large school.

Street Presence

“Every night is different!” says Paul Rendell.

Set free to hear Christ

“I’m often too proud to admit that I need the concrete challenge and accountability of a wise mentor, with whom the landscape of the soul can be traversed and surveyed,” says The Revd Taylor Wilton-Morgan, Assistant Curate, United Benefice of St Benedict.