The planned consecration of Gavin Collins as Bishop of Dorchester on 28 January has sadly been postponed due to the Covid pandemic. However, it will still be possible for Gavin to begin his ministry among us in the period before his consecration.
By agreement with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, will license Gavin as Episcopal Vicar for the Dorchester Area on 28 January, the originally planned day of his consecration. This will be a reasonably low key licensing by Zoom with Dorchester Area Deans and Lay Chairs, together with the Area Team and members of the Bishop’s Staff.
Gavin and Christina will move to Arran House in early February and have some time to settle into their new home. There will then be a Service of Welcome for Gavin as our Bishop-designate on Sunday 28 February. If conditions allow, this will be streamed from Dorchester Abbey. Gavin will be working to a full diary from that date, meeting people virtually, leading and supporting the Area team and engaging with the wider community and Diocese.
Please continue to hold our new bishop and his family in your prayers as we navigate forward.