It was a day of celebration on Friday (November 12) in the Diocese of Leicester as the announcement was made that the next Suffragan Bishop of Loughborough will be Revd Saju Muthalaly.
Below we outline the events of the day and bring you some of the details of how Saju was welcomed to Leicestershire and what people who met him had to say. We share photos (at the end of the story below) and a video of the Cathedral prayers and Saju's reflection too.
Members of various church communities and people representing all aspects of life in the diocese came together for the big reveal at Brooksby Melton Agricultural College, with local media capturing the moment live on camera.
As part of the ceremony, Saju was presented with a whole host of gifts, symbolising various elements of the life of the diocese.
He was charismatic, humorous, warm and wise in his address, graciously accepting the presents and acknowledging the people he received.
As Suffragan Bishop, Saju will share oversight of the diocese with the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester, and will support clergy and lay ministers in every Anglican worshipping community across our city and county.
Alongside the normal duties of a bishop, Saju will have particular oversight responsibilities for our Intercultural Worshipping Communities programme and our Diocesan Racial Equity Strategy, our development of ‘new communities’ (church plants and fresh expressions of Church), and our vocations and training work.
Reverend Liz Piki presented Saju with a canvas of the world on behalf of our Intercultural Worshipping Communities, to represent disciples in Christ the world over.
Intercultural Pioneer Minister, Vee Pinto, said: “I am extremely excited that Saju will be joining the diocese. Having worked with him before, I believe he will be a great asset, and because of his upbringing and background, he will bring wisdom and insight. I‘m looking forward to hearing his ideas and how he’ll help develop our Intercultural Worshipping Communities.”
Representing Resourcing churches, Revd Ben Gardner (who leads St Barnabas, Grange Park church plant in Loughborough) gave Saju a travel mug filled with seeds, to signify hospitality, traveling to new places to plant churches and spreading God’s hope.
Ben said: “I am delighted and excited by the announcement of Saju as Bishop of Loughborough. Hearing his heart for the Gospel and his passion to create a home for those searching for Jesus, is good news for church planting across the diocese.”
Licensed Pioneer Minister, Carol Parker, gifted Saju with a watering can, representing resilience and longevity in pioneering and fresh expressions of Church.
Pioneer Minister, Revd Crystal McAllister, said: “I’m really excited. It’s nice they’re a family with a lot of experience of building community and working with young people, and I think this is just what the diocese needs. I’m really encouraged and as an advocate of pioneering and fresh expressions, we hope he can support us and be a voice for us.”
Children representing the 96 church schools and academies around the diocese were also invited to the announcement.
Two pupils from Thrussington CofE Primary presented Saju with a glass jar full of painted prayer stones, which children in Class 3 had spent time creating, including prayers for Saju, their school and the wider diocese, as well as their school values, particularly Hope - something they think Saju’s appointment brings to the diocese.
Andrew (10) noted how humorous Saju is and how he’d love him to visit their school. Martha (11) said she loves the fact that Saju has a young family, and thinks this will help him to understand young people like herself and others in her school.
Thrussington’s Head Teacher, Hannah Roddy, added: “We feel really privileged to have been invited here and are proud of our children, representing church primary schools across the diocese. It’s exciting to think of the work we can do with Saju in the future.”
Pupils Charlie (16), Francesca (16), Emily (14), and Joe (11) from Rawlings CofE Academy School in Quorn, gave Saju a selection of digital, framed pictures they had made, featuring photos of the school, children and local area. They loved being part of an important event happening in their school’s diocese.
Francesca and Charlie worked on the digital artwork, along with six of their friends. With so much secrecy surrounding the big announcement, the pupils did not know who or what they were producing the work for, which added to the excitement.
“Now we do know what this is all about, we feel so honoured to represent the school,” said Francesca. “Saju seems really nice and it would be good to work with him in the future, so I hope he comes to our school.”
Charlie added: “It’s great to know he’ll have a piece of art we’ve made hanging somewhere in his home.”
In the rural heart of the diocese, it seemed fitting that students from Brooksby Melton Agricultural College – George, James and Scarlett – made a presentation, of local honey from beehives at the college, a photo of the college and a wreath created from natural things grown on site.
Director for Agriculture, James Fryer, said. “We’re really proud to be the chosen location for today’s important announcement. We work very closely with the church in our grounds and we hope that we can strengthen our relationship with the diocese.”
On behalf of the Bishop’s Youth Council and all young people in the diocese, Sophie York (17) and Joel Plant (20) gave Saju an oak sapling, symbolising growing faith in young people and the growth they can bring to the diocese, and as a sign of the importance of the climate crisis to them.
Sophie said: “With a background in youth, I think Saju’s going to be great for all of us, particularly making sure the voice and views of young people are heard - not just in our churches, but in the wider diocese.
Joel added: “We are really encouraged by Saju’s consideration for young people and we look forward to working with him.”
Representing the Social Responsibility work of churches acros the diocese, and in light of their contribution to the social outreach work of Christchurch, Thurnby Lodge, including various food projects, it was the honour of Peter and Mig Buckby and John Walker, to present Saju with an engraved breadbin.
Peter, who has been key in developing a space to grow vegetables and other produce at the church’s Growing Hub, said: “The new Bishop seems to have a lot of good things to say and share with us and I think people will listen.”
Mig, who is part of the church’s Cook and Eat Hub programme, said: “Listening to Saju speak, it seems clear he is the man for the job. His eagerness to start is encouraging, and his enthusiasm is just what we need to grow our Church and let God’s word be heard.”
Church warden John added: “I hope he will help the diocese to grow and thrive.”
Lay trainee, Kirsty Savory, and vicar of St Michael and All Angels in the Brooksby parish, Reverend David Harknett, presented the Bishop-elect with a bowl of hand carved wooden fruit, on behalf of Vocations.
The gift symbolises Saju’s role within vocations to help those exploring their calls, in training, and to grow, bear ‘fruit’ and flourish.
Kirsty said: “Saju’s appointment has brought so much hope, joy and inspiration. Hearing one of his focuses will be vocations and his enthusiasm about this is a huge blessing and gives real hope for the future.”
Final offerings were made by the Bishop’s Chaplain, Revd James Pickersgill who is Captain of the Leicester Dicoesan Cricket Team, presented Saju with a team shirt and cap – a gift in the spirit of Wellbeing, and especially appreciated by Saju who is currently Captain of the Dicoese of Rochester and Canterbury Cricket Team!
As a sign of care for the whole family, Saju’s wife, Katy, received flowers, while their children – Zeph, Zipp, Abraham and Jonah - were given colouring books, pens and goodies from our Christian Resources shop by members of the Bishop’s Leadership Team.
Following the announcement, a short service was held in St Michael and All Angels, Brooksby's parish church, where individual prayers from each of the representative diocesan areas were offered for Saju and his family.
Lunch at Christ the King Church in Beaumont Leys, Leicester.
Saju and family then visited Christ the King Church in Beaumont Leys, Leicester. The church is renowned for its generosity and hospitality, and served a superb lunch for Saju, his family and a number of guests, including members of the local community.
Whilst there, Saju learned about Christ the King’s social action projects, in particular its busy food bank. Hospitality in parish ministry is at the heart of Saju’s own calling. His priorities are profoundly relational and he has a deep desire for the flourishing of all people, particularly the poor and those at the margins of our world.
He met with Katie and Jasper Wray, members of the church family and leaders of the food bank, who devote their lives to serving the community.
Katie and Jasper feel called by God to help tackle deprivation in their area and recognise that the need goes far beyond just feeding people.
Along with fellow volunteer, Elizabeth Dixon, the couple showed Saju around the food packing and storage area, and chatted about the needs of their community, as well as their personal calling to serve and share the love of God.
Jasper told Saju how they open the food bank three days a week, but their work, which includes sourcing and sorting the food, spans seven days.
“You just cannot say no,” said Katie. “Everyone who comes to us has been referred, but the people we support through the food bank are in all sorts of situations, many struggling families with children, people with mental health problems, others with addiction,” she explained.
Some who use the food bank have been on Christ the King’s books for years, while others come for recommended blocks of weeks, to help get them back on their feet.
“They feel safe here, they feel supported and they engage with us,” said Katie. “We’re loving these people in ways that we can.”
Saju replied: “And if they asked, where is God in all of this? I imagine they would say: ‘In the hands and feet of Katie and the team’.”
Jasper added: “We’re very fortunate in life and feel incredibly grateful to God for that, so if we can do something to help others, then we will do everything we can.”
Elizabeth agreed: “I enjoy helping with the food bank, the church has become a significant part of my life. When my family ask where I am, I’m usually doing something here.”
Before Saju left Christ the King and headed to Leicester Cathedral, he reflected on the work being carried out here and those he had met.
He said: “I can clearly see Katie and Jasper are leaders – people who are doing the Kingdom of God on earth. There is amazing team building here, a strong team around them who want to help and who are proud of what they do.
“God is meeting them in their welcome and hospitality and I am encouraged by people who integrate their church with relationships and connection. Good news is attached to this community.”
Leicester Cathedral
The final event of the day were wonderful prayers from children and adults and worship at Leicester Cathedral. You can watch it all including a sung prayer by Revd Lusa and a reflection by Saju on the Cathedral Facebook video by clicking here.
At the end fo the day, Saju and his family set off back to Kent with his wonderful children sharing their thoughts ont he day:
Zipp: “It feels like Christmas, receiving all these presents,” she said. “Now the secret is out, we can start telling our friends.”
Zeph: “Everybody’s really nice and have made us feel welcome. I think dad has made the right decision! I’m hoping to meet people with similar interests to me when we move here. Everyone is really positive and that inspires me.”
Abraham: “It has been a really exciting day and a fun stay in Leicester.”
A very tired Jonah: “Thank you for all the presents. I’m going to sleep in the car on the way home!”
