CAPTION: Bishop Nick gave the sermon at a choral evensong to mark his retirement
Tributes to Bishop Nick at Farewell Service
Tributes have been paid to the Bishop of Plymouth at a farewell service to mark his retirement after 42 years in ministry.
The Rt. Rev’d Nick McKinnel has been a bishop in the Diocese of Exeter since 2012 and was previously a parish vicar.
Friends, family and colleagues gathered at Exeter Cathedral on Sunday 24 July for a Choral Evensong to say goodbye.
During his sermon, Bishop Nick thanked them for their support and said “Not many people get to play the part of a piece on a chessboard.”
He also said it was important to “rejoice in hope” and said as a bishop he had often found hope in unexpected places.
Annie Jeffries, Chair of the House of Laity, for the diocese, said “We are going to miss you enormously, you are spiritually supportive and a spiritual leader and everyone without fail whom I have spoken to has talked about your likeability and wonderful sense of humour.”
Rev’d Mike Partridge, Chair of the House of Clergy, thanked him on behalf of Devon’s clergy and said “You’ve been on our side and you’re a leader, thank you.”
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, said he had valued having Bishop Nick as a colleague over the past seven years “Nick speaks to people’s hearts as well as their minds,” he said. “Devon born and bred, he is able to see the positive in any person and in any situation.”
Bishop Nick will be succeeded by Rev’d Prebendary James Grier, who will be consecrated a bishop at Westminster Abbey on 29 September.
