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The Commissioning of Bishop's School Visitors
Bishop
The Lord be with you
All
and also with you
Bishop
God our Father, Lord of all the world, we thank you that through your Son you have called us into the fellowship of your universal Church. Hear our prayer for your faithful people that each in their vocation and ministry may be an instrument of your love, and give your servants now to be commissioned as Bishop's School Visitors, the needful gifts of grace; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ministry of the Word
Verses from Psalm 145 (Minister and people say alternate verses)
I will exalt you O God my King,
I will bless your name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless you
and praise your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
There is no end to his greatness.
One generation shall praise your works to another
and shall declare your power.
I will ponder the glorious splendour of your majesty
And all your marvellous works.
They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, and I will tell of your greatness.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen
Reading
Luke: Chapter 8 verses 4-15
Address
The Bishop
The Presentation
(The Visitors Stand)
The Director of Education presents the Bishop's School Visitors to the Bishop:
Reverend Father I present these persons to be commissioned as Bishop's School Visitors in the Diocese of Ely:
(the names of those present are read)
I present also these persons who are unable to be present in person at this time (the names of those to be commissioned in absentia are read)
The Commission
Bishop
A Bishop's School Visitor is called to strengthen the bonds of friendship and support between the Diocese and its Church Schools. In partnership with local clergy and Christian people, a Visitor helps to give day to day expression to the Bishop's task of serving, caring and praying for the members of the Church School family of the Diocese.
A Visitor Is a supportive and informed colleague to the staff and governors of the Church Schools entrusted to him/her.
A Visitor encourages the children of the schools through regular visits and active interest.
A Visitor is an ambassador for the Diocesan Schools Team and Board of Education.
A Visitor upholds the people and communities of the schools in attentive prayer and intercession.
A Visitor does not work in isolation but undertakes to learn and share with colleagues, and to liaise closely with those appointed to the oversight of the Diocesan work with schools.
Your calling is to share in the Church's ministry of education and nurture, a ministry entrusted to his disciples by Our Lord himself, in whose name you will go and whose blessing you will take. As you offer time, attention, advice and friendship, be confident that you labour within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Will you then, in the strength of the triune God, take up the role of Bishop's School Visitor to the best of your ability and skill?
Visitors
By the help of God, I will.
Bishop
I therefore commission you as Bishop's School Visitors for a term of office of three years. May you be strengthened and renewed by the Holy Spirit to fulfil this work and ministry for the extension of God's Kingdom in his church and in your schools. Amen.
The Prayers
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
Minister
We entrust to God all that lies ahead. We pray for the Local Authorities and all the maintained schools of the area. We pray for the Church Schools of the Diocese and their pupils, staff and governors. We pray for the Diocesan Schools Team and for the Board of Education and Training We pray for all the members of this newly commissioned team.
Silence is kept
The Collect
All
Lord God, thank you for the unity you give us in your presence: draw your Church together, into one great company of disciples, together following our Lord Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving him in his mission to the world, and together witnessing to his love in every school of this Diocese, in the power of your Spirit, to your praise and glory. Amen
Song
The Dismissal
Bishop
May God, who gives patience and encouragement, give you a spirit of unity to live in harmony as you follow Jesus Christ, so that with one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the blessing...
Related Links
- Bishop's School Visitors - Ely Diocese
- The Commissioning of Bishop's School Visitors
- Advice to Schools on Making the Most of Your Bishop's School Visitor