AN OPEN LETTER FROM Rt REV PAUL DAVIES, BISHOP OF DORKINGThe sudden news of Bishop Andrew’s inoperable cancer has shocked and saddened us all. Through the challenges of the past month, Bishop Andrew has continued to be inspirational in his faith and trust in the Lord whom he loves and serves with such devotion, and in his leadership and commitment to us as the Body of Christ in the Diocese of Guildford.In his letter to the Diocese last week, Bishop Andrew’s request of us was for prayer. He asked us to pray for him and his family, and for the diocese at this challenging time. His words were ‘those with great faith might wish to pray for my complete healing, and that, of course, would be wonderful; but ‘cheerfully persisting’ towards a good death also bears testimony to our living Lord, and St. Paul’s testimony – that ‘for me to live is Christ, to die is gain’ (Philippians 1:21). I know that he is enormously grateful to all those who are praying for him, Beverly and the family – and particularly appreciative of those who have assured him of this in the many messages that he has received.As a Bishop’s Leadership Team, we have organised a Day of Prayer for Bishop Andrew in Guildford Cathedral on Monday 23 February from 12 noon to 10.00pm. All are welcome and encouraged to join us at any stage during the day for as long as you are able to stay. There will be opportunity for silent prayer, to pray with others, or to light a candle. Teams from each deanery will be present throughout the day to welcome people and to pray with them. At 5.30pm, there will be the usual Choral Evensong, at which we will pray in particular for Bishop Andrew. We hope that as many as possible will join us for this act of worship so that we can pray together as a diocesan family.Meanwhile, please do continue to keep Bishop Andrew and his family in your daily prayers.God of our hope and salvation, we thank you for Andrew, our brother in Christ and father in God: for his discipleship and leadership, and for his love and care of our diocese. At this time of his illness, we pray that you would visit him with your healing love, comfort and strengthen him with your Holy Spirit, and protect him and his family with your holy angels. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.Please know that, during this time of Bishop Andrew’s illness, I will do all I can, together with ourBishop’s Leadership Team, to care and support him and his family, and you - as the precious family of CofEGuildford.With love in Christ and prayers, +Paul, Dorking
Hopefully the rain will stop soon and we've not been as badly affected as many other parts of the country.But this weekend is the perfect moment for our Funday@4 team to discuss the story of Noah's ark. All ages are welcome as join together for singing, a Bible story, craft work and a free tea,So children are especially welcome and they can bring their parents, carers or grand parents. In fact, everyone is welcome to join us at 4pm at Dunsfold Church. And we're told the weather forecast is looking good!
Right Reverend Andrew Watson, the Bishop of Guildford, has revealed he has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. In a letter to people across his diocese, Watson said he had been having "a persistent band of pain" in his stomach, which left him not wanting to eat and losing weight.He said he was told last month that he had a "substantial" tumour in his pancreas, which had been "interacting" with his spinal cord and central nervous system.He added that a scan had found smaller lesions on his liver. Bishop Andrew added: "The results of further investigations - a biopsy and MRI scan - came through last Thursday, revealing both the primary tumour and the secondaries to be cancerous and inoperable."He said he expected to undergo chemotherapy "to make life a little more comfortable".Watson said: "I am hoping to be able to fulfil my responsibilities as Bishop of Guildford for a while longer (with Easter as my first landmark) whilst recognising too that any decision we make at this point is necessarily provisional."We will make alternative arrangements if I need to step back."The speed of events since the New Year had been a "severe" shock, Watson said, adding there had been "plenty" of tears."Those with great faith might wish to pray for my complete healing, and that, of course, would be wonderful," he said. "But cheerfully persisting towards a good death also bears testimony to our living Lord."Ending the missive, he said: "Whatever the future holds, I remain deeply grateful to God for the journey of the past 64 years."The Diocese of Guildford said Watson was "currently awaiting further information regarding medical options to support his comfort and care" and he had advised colleagues he hoped to continue his responsibilities "as long as his health permits".Click on the attached document to read Bishop Andrew's letter.
