CAPTION: "I will remember the service for the whole of my life," says one student who was involved in the Enthronement Service.
Children and Young People Had a Key Part to Play in the Bishop of Exeter’s Enthronement Day
Children and young people from across Devon were involved with the Bishop of Exeter’s Enthronement Day on Saturday 2 November 2024.
The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison was enthroned as the 72nd Bishop of Exeter, in a service at Exeter Cathedral, which has traditions stretching back hundreds of years.
The bishop gives his first sermon at Exeter Cathedral
The Enthronement service symbolised the bishop’s spiritual role in Devon, and it was a formal opportunity to welcome him and his family into the role.
As part of the service, the bishop had to strike the Great West door three times with his staff before he was permitted to enter the Cathedral, keeping in with tradition. Followed the three knocks, three students from Okehampton College said the traditional words, “We welcome you. Who are you and why are you here?”
The bishop then replied, “I am Mike, a servant of Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Mike said, “I was delighted that the first voices heard as I entered the Cathedral on Saturday for the enthronement were from children and young people asking why I was there.
“The place of children and young people in our churches is vitally important and I will be seeking wherever I can to ensure children and young people are welcome, able to access Christian teaching and worship that is vibrant and engaging, and that our Christian communities are resourced for ministry among children and young people.”
Student’s had a key part to play in the Enthronement service
Prior to the service, students from Okehampton College and Tavistock College, had spent time writing prayers to be read in the service.
They prayed for local schools, colleges and places of learning; our emergency services and those who care for us; the mission and ministry of churches in Devon; our communities; those who represent us, including local civic leaders, King Charles III and leaders of the nations and the UK; prisoners, refugees and the homeless; and charities and volunteer groups.
Seven students, each in turn, read out a prayer during the service.
The student’s prayers were printed onto postcards, so that everyone who attended would have a Prayer Card to take home with them. The prayer cards were also packaged with snowdrop bulbs.
Snowdrops, also known as Candlemas Bells, are symbols of hope and light. Snowdrops are often planted in the autumn, trusting that they will bloom as the winter darkness turns into spring. The snowdrops served as a visual reminder that we trust that God hears prayers and is at work even when we can’t see.
The idea was for guests to take home the prayer cards and pray the prayer, plant the bulbs, and see what blooms.
One student who took part in the service said, “The service was filled with such wonder and so special to be part of it.”
One student said, “It was a real honour to be invited to participate. I will remember it for the whole of my life.”
Elizabeth Underwood, the Executive for Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said, “It was a huge privilege for our young people to participate in the service of enthronement for Bishop Mike. The children truly rose to the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They have life-long memories of their moment in history on such a joyous occasion.”
The Three Bishops with the Scouts, Guides and Cadets
Prior to the service, a group of scouts, guides and military cadets formed a guard of honour outside the Cathedral.
Morning Pilgrimage
The morning of Bishop Mike’s Enthronement Day, he travelled from North Devon to Exeter Cathedral on a morning pilgrimage.
One student from Okehampton College said, “Bishop Mike made everyone there feel connected. He brought unity to the whole county travelling from North Devon to Exeter so everyone felt part of it.”
As part of his journey, he visited The White Eagles Hockey Club in Tiverton. There he was put through his paces on the hockey pitch by the under 10s players, who engaged in a game of hockey with him.
One of the under 10’s players said, “I enjoyed playing hockey with the bishop, and it was fun showing him my skills.”
Brad Weeks, Chair of the White Eagles Hockey Club, said, “It was an honour for the Tiverton White Eagles to be part of Bishop Mike’s pilgrimage which culminated in his Enthronement at Exeter Cathedral.
The children and young people enjoyed playing hockey with Bishop Mike
“Bishop Mike was keen to hear from them about their love of hockey, their motivation to take part and the life skills that sport gives them.”
Click here to read the full news story on the Enthronement Service.
Click here to view the Prayer Cards.
