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the Village Hall will be on October 8thand our speaker is Garth Lowe whowill be talking to us all about Bulgaria– the country and its wildlife. We lookforward to welcoming anyone whowould like to join us. For furtherinformation contact our President,Heather Hurley. Tel: 01886 812809.Diary dates: 8 th Oct – Bulgaria, thecountry and its wildlife; 12 th Nov –Annual meeting; 10 th Dec – Winetasting. Sheila HarrisLetter from the Dean ofHerefordChoosing a new BishopBishops are in the news at themoment! Last month, we saidgoodbye to Bishop Anthony and heand Kathy very much continue in ourthoughts and prayers. Now theprocess really begins to find asuccessor to Bishop Anthony. Thismonth, we welcome to the diocese thetwo secretaries – Archbishops’ andPrime Minister’s – from London andthey will be conducting a whole seriesof interviews based in Hereford andLudlow – clergy, supportministers, churchwardens, clergyspouses, leaders of the civic andcommercial communities and manymore. In this way, we hope that asmany people as possible will feelconsulted and be enabled to expresstheir own views. Everybody can havetheir say – there is a public meetingon Tuesday 8 October at 7.00pm atthe Ludlow Mascall Centre – and atthis, all will be able to meet thesecretaries, put their views and meetthe six members of the diocesanvacancy-in-see committee who willhave been elected the day before tothe Crown Nominations Commission– the group which eventuallyinterviews candidates for thepost. So please, do put this date andtime in your diary if you’d like to bepart of this consultation. Rememberthat our bishop is bishop of thewhole diocese, and has a care for all –so we want to hear from as manydifferent constituencies as possible.The process to find a new bishop isessentially placed in a context ofprayer – prayer that God will helpthose who will choose – prayer thatGod will inspire the right person torespond – prayer that we will all begiven grace to work together with thenew bishop to promote God’skingdom in homes, churches andwhere we work.One thing is certain – judging fromthe long list of ‘qualities needed in anew bishop’ the new man is going toneed our support and understandingand reserves of God’s grace. Howgood it is that this process ishappening in October – the month ofHereford’s own saint, Thomas ofHereford. He was bishop 1275-82and while we remember him for hislearning and pastoral zeal, we alsoremember him as one who sufferedfor what he believed to be right.May that spirit of self-giving be at theheart of all our leaders – and may itbe at the heart of our own Christianwitness and ministry as each of usstrives to follow these qualities whichwe see supremely in our Master andSaviour, Jesus Christ. Michael TavinorDean of Hereford and Chair of theVacancy-in-See Committee.7 October 2013