Bishop Graham’s enthronement as the seventy-second Bishop of Norwich will take place at the first of these services on Saturday 9 November in Norwich Cathedral. This symbolic ceremony will see the bishop formally seated for the first time on the ancient throne at the east end of the Cathedral, and it marks the beginning of his public ministry in the Diocese.
Over 1,800 people will be present at the packed-to-capacity Cathedral service, with invitations to the ticket-only service going out over the coming month to a wide range of people – both licensed clergy and lay ministers but also a diverse range of volunteers, charities, schools, civic leaders and organisations who contribute so much to the county and Diocese.
To ensure as many people as possible can welcome the new Bishop, additional services of welcome will be held in Great Yarmouth, Cromer, Thetford and King’s Lynn. These services will be open to all – there is no need to book – and will include elements from the Cathedral service with the addition of locally organised worship.
Speaking about the start of his ministry and looking ahead to these services, Bishop Graham said:
“It’s a great honour to have been called to serve among the people of Norfolk and Waveney as Bishop of Norwich. I’m excited about the opportunities to meet this county’s fantastic people and see some more of this beautiful place at these five services of welcome.
“I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible, and getting to know you and your wonderful communities, as together we continue to seek to live out Jesus Christ’s call to love God and our neighbours.”
The dates and times of the services are as follows:
- Saturday 9 November at 2pm – Norwich Cathedral (this service is ticket only)
- Monday 18 November at 7pm – Great Yarmouth Minster
- Sunday 24 November at 4pm – St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Cromer
- Monday 25 November at 7pm – St Cuthbert’s Church, Thetford
- Wednesday 27 November at 7pm – King’s Lynn Minster
Bishop Graham was nominated as Bishop of Norwich by Her Majesty the Queen in May 2019. He was legally confirmed as the bishop in June and moved with his family to Norwich during the summer.
The Diocese of Norwich covers 1,800 square miles, with a population of around 879,000, and this vast area is organised into twenty smaller areas called deaneries. Bishop Graham will be visiting each deanery over his first six months to listen and learn about the local communities, churches and schools. There will be a wide range of different events and open-to-all services during these visits which are currently being organised and will be communicated nearer the time.
