How do you stay steady in trials? | Start the Month with Bishop Paul & Sarah (195)
"I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." Psalm 16:8 How do you stay steady in your faith when you face trials? In Start the Month for August, Bishop Paul and Sarah reflect on Psalm 16 and the assurance that, whatever we face, we are never alone. The psalm reminds us that Jesus' triumph on the cross means we are loved and forgiven, and have a living hope in Jesus
Bishop Paul speaks out for children in care at General Synod
At General Synod on Tuesday 14th July, Bishop Paul spoke in support of a private member's motion putting forward the appointment of a lead bishop to advocate for the more than 80,000 looked after children in England, care leavers and carers. After the debate, members of the Synod voted unanimously in favour of the motion, which had been brought by Billy-Jo O'Leary. To hear what Bishop Paul said on the topic, watch the video below or scroll to read his full transcript.
Christ’s Devotion to Us | Start the Month with Bishop Paul and Sarah (194)
As we approach ordination weekend, in Start the Month for July Bishop Paul and Sarah give thanks for the new callings on the lives of the candidates being ordained, offered in love in response to Jesus. Drawing from the book of Song of Songs, a love poem from a couple expressing their devotion to one another, Bishop Paul and Sarah reflect on how this story is fulfilled through the relationship of Christ to his bride, the Church. Through his devotion to
Bishop’s Address to Diocesan Synod – May 2026
This is the transcript of Bishop Paul's address to Diocesan Synod on 9th May 2026. Good morning, Synod. Shortly after being appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Wakefield in 1992, Nigel McCulloch declared that the diocese was to be renamed, ‘The Missionary Diocese of Wakefield’. At the time it had been struggling in various ways and morale was low. So it was a clear statement of intent that the whole life of the diocese, every action, every prayer, every appointment, the stewardship
Guard Your Heart | Start the Month in June with Bishop Paul and Sarah (193)
‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.’ Proverbs 4:23 What does it mean to guard our hearts? In Start the Month for June, Bishop Paul and Sarah reflect on Proverbs 4, reminding us that we can guard our hearts by filling it with good things, above all with God’s wisdom from His Word. Bishop Paul and Sarah also share with us a worship song from ‘God Behind Bars’, an organisation that brings the message of hope
Turn Your Focus to Him | Start the Month in May with Bishop Paul and Sarah (192)
“I lift my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” In May’s Start the Month, Bishop Paul and Sarah open up Psalm 121, a prayer that reminds us of the confidence we have in the Lord whatever our circumstances. They encourage us to turn our focus to God each new day as he is our helper who watches over us for all of our lives. As
Celebrating Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s Installation with Bishop Paul & Bishop Andy
"I know that Archbishop Sarah sees her role as bringing God's love, healing and hope to our troubled world."
Start the Month in January with Bishop Paul and Sarah (189) – 6th February 2026
‘Are you more focused on what human beings are getting wrong in the world, than what a good God is making right?’ Gary Haugen, IJM In February’s Start the Month, Bishop Paul and Sarah share from Psalm 37, reflecting how our confidence and trust can remain firmly in the Lord in moments of difficulty and desperation. Using David’s words in the Psalm as a guide, they share three practices to build into our lives: be consistent in prayer, wait patiently
Start the Month in January with Bishop Paul and Sarah (188) – 2nd January 2026
‘Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night.’ Psalm 1:2 In a special Start the Month for January and the New Year, join Bishop Paul and Sarah as they walk in Southwell and read from Psalm 1, reflecting on the blessings that flow to us through Jesus. Psalm 1 opens a door into all the blessings that flow to us from Christ, and inspires us to keep trusting him
Bishop Paul’s Christmas Sermon from Southwell Minster
'Jesus was born not to make sure we know how badly we’ve messed things up, but so that we can discover how greatly we are loved by God.' In his Christmas sermon at the Midnight Communion in the Cathedral on Christmas Eve, Bishop Paul spoke about how at Christmas, God comes to find us in Jesus, offering a peace that can satisfy our very deepest need and longings, and inviting our hearts to come home to Him. He reflected on the success