Bishop Keith Sinclair gave his final sermon as the Bishop of Birkenhead on Sunday 07 March and retired from the role the following day, exactly 14 years after he took up the post.
Speaking at a special service of farewell and thanksgiving held at Chester Cathedral and watched by hundreds online, Bishop Keith reflected on his own journey to faith, ordination, and consecration as a bishop.
He thanked his wife Rosie and his children; Bishop Mark and his wife Lindsay; colleagues past and present; and his PA Pippa, as well as the wider diocesan community.
Bishop Keith turned to Philippians 3:10 to underline his thanks to God for all that has happened in his 14-year ministry as the Bishop of Birkenhead.
Bishop Keith said: “'That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…' This knowing is the only reason that I stand before you and have had the privilege of serving in this diocese for 14 years and it’s the reason for any celebration for what has happened in my life or among us together.”
People watch the farewell service from around the country, including the Diocese of Birmingham where Bishop Keith served his curacy and later took up his first incumbency.
Bishop Keith joined the Diocese of Chester and the role of Bishop of Birkenhead in 2007. He will retire to Openshaw, Manchester, and quipped in a BBC interview marking his retirement that he will be closer to parts of the Diocese of Chester in retirement than he was as Bishop of Birkenhead.
Bishop Keith has accepted a new role as the National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council and will take up his post in April.
Read Bishop Keith’s sermon in full here
Watch the farewell service here
Listen to his final BBC interview as Bishop of Birkenhead
The appointment of two new bishops
The Diocese of Chester has been given permission to appoint two new bishops. You can find out about the process and read the information pack for the two roles here. Bishop Mark is also inviting the diocese to pray for the discernment process.