Following the announcement, Bishop Graham will tour the Diocese this afternoon, including visits to a local housing trust, a primary school garden and outdoor reflective space, a church after-school club run by volunteers, and culminating in a special Evensong at Norwich Cathedral to which everyone is invited.
On his appointment, Bishop Graham said:
“It’s a great honour and somewhat daunting to be nominated as Bishop of Norwich. I’m excited to have been called to serve among the people of Norfolk and Waveney as together we seek to live out Jesus Christ’s call to love God and our neighbours.
“A theme of God’s calling in my life is that each new chapter has been to a new and unexpected place. The Diocese of Norwich is equally a new and unexpected place for me, and what a wonderful privilege it is to be called to serve here.
“I see the role of a bishop as encouraging others to live out their faith in Jesus Christ with a generosity of spirit and compassion, bringing people together to serve their neighbours in partnership with others.”
The Acting Bishop of Norwich, the Bishop of Thetford, the Rt Revd Alan Winton said:
“As a senior staff team we are delighted with the nomination of Bishop Graham Usher to be the next Bishop of Norwich, and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to their new home in the Diocese.
“The new Bishop Graham brings significant experience, skills and enthusiasm from ministry in York, Newcastle and Worcester Dioceses. We look forward to working with him in supporting and developing the mission and ministry of God’s church here in Norfolk and Waveney. Please pray for Graham and his family as they prepare for their move to Norwich this summer.”
We’re delighted that Her Majesty the Queen has accepted the nomination of the Rt Revd Graham Usher as the next Bishop of Norwich. Bishop Graham is currently Bishop of Dudley @bishopdudley in @CofEWorcester – Read more & watch his first remarks at https://t.co/gkvbAZvatk pic.twitter.com/ww7s9VXOuM
— Diocese of Norwich (@DioceseNorwich) May 3, 2019