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
Start the Day on Christmas Eve with Bishop Paul and Sarah (187) – 24th December 2025
‘God doesn’t leave things to chance - he creates order and beauty out of chaos’ In this special Start the Day message on Christmas Eve, Bishop Paul and Sarah reflect on the angels appearing to the shepherds in Luke 2 - a moment where heaven breaks into the ordinary and the shepherds’ eyes are opened to a wonder that changes their perspective. As we look at the chaos around the world or in our own lives, Bishop Paul and Sarah remind us
Home for Christmas: Christmas Parable 2025
This year, alongside Bishop Paul’s Christmas message, we are pleased to share a new parable short film created to reach out to audiences far and wide. At a time of year when our screens are filled with amazing Christmas adverts inviting us to buy delicious food and exciting gifts, this film offers something different. Rather than selling, it seeks to show you something. The story of the Prodigal Son is one of Jesus’ most well-known parables, and its invitation to ‘come
Start the Month in November with Bishop Paul and Sarah (186) – 7th November 2025
“My heart, O God, is steadfast.” Psalm 108:1 Where do you draw your confidence from? In Start the Month for November, Bishop Paul and Sarah reflect on Psalm 108, exploring how and where we find confidence in God. In the psalm, David’s confidence is grounded in his experience of God’s steadfast love, and we too can steady our hearts in that same love when we need courage to face new opportunities and challenges. Bishop Paul and Sarah encourage us this