A Festive December for the Bishop of Norwich

Christmas for Bishop Graham of Norwich was marked by a series of memorable community engagements that captured the true spirit of the season. Perhaps most touching was his visit to Thornage Hall near Holt, a supportive community for people with learning disabilities. There, in what he described as “the most wonderful carol service,” residents and visitors gathered in the cow barn, singing Christmas songs alongside red poll cattle. The Thornage Hall choir, composed of community members, performed beautifully in this rustic setting, creating a genuinely heartwarming celebration that connected faith with rural life. This unique experience, combining traditional carols with the warmth and authenticity of a working farm, became one of the Bishop’s cherished holiday moments.

Beyond this distinctive celebration, Bishop Graham’s December was filled with diverse religious duties throughout his diocese. He traveled extensively, conducting services in communities awaiting new priests – from St. Peter and St. John in Kirkley, Lowestoft in the far southeast, to All Saints in North Runcton near King’s Lynn some 70 miles to the west. Christmas morning found him at Norwich Cathedral, where he preached and presided over Eucharist. The Bishop embraced both intimate parish gatherings and grand celebrations, attending the Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Europe’s largest Christmas show of its kind) and “The Wonder,” where Soul Church in Norwich shared the gospel message through sold-out performances. Throughout these varied engagements, Bishop Graham connected with parishioners from all walks of life, bringing his pastoral presence to communities across Norfolk.

December also brought a significant achievement for the Bishop’s diocese with St. Mark’s Church in Oulton Broad becoming the first Diocese of Norwich church to receive the Eco Church Gold Award. This recognition highlights the growing commitment to environmental stewardship within the diocese’s parishes and reflects Bishop Graham’s own dedication to ecological issues. The Bishop has consistently emphasized the importance of faith communities taking practical action to protect creation, viewing environmental care as an essential expression of Christian values. This milestone achievement represents years of dedicated work by the St. Mark’s team and serves as an inspiration to other churches in the diocese to pursue similar environmental commitments.

In his role as a member of the House of Lords, Bishop Graham remained active in national policy discussions throughout December, particularly on environmental and child protection issues. He questioned the government about preparations for the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil and advocated for improved access to forest schools for children with special educational needs. The Bishop also expressed concern about children using virtual private networks to circumvent age verification systems designed to protect them from harmful online content. On climate matters, he urged the government to use stronger language regarding the phasing out of fossil fuels, calling for bold commitments and “the path of virtue” in pursuit of net zero emissions goals.

The Bishop’s environmental advocacy extended to ocean protection through his support of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill. In a notable speech that was reported by the Church Times, he emphasized that protecting oceans is vital for humanity’s flourishing, citing Psalm 107’s reference to “wondrous works in the deep” while warning that these marvels face threats from deep-sea mining, overfishing, pollution, ocean acidification, and fossil fuel extraction. This legislative engagement reflects Bishop Graham’s holistic approach to his spiritual leadership, recognizing that care for creation is inseparable from care for human communities and future generations. His parliamentary work demonstrates how faith perspectives can contribute meaningfully to public policy debates on pressing environmental challenges.

The month concluded with Bishop Graham attending a significant diplomatic event where the German President addressed both Houses of Parliament in the Royal Gallery. The Bishop was moved by what he described as “a powerful speech about the gift of reconciliation,” emphasizing international solidarity against forces threatening democratic stability. He particularly noted the President’s emphasis on ensuring that “the strength of law, rather than the law of the strong, prevails” in international relations. This experience reflected the Bishop’s broader commitment to peace, justice, and international cooperation—values that align with his Christmas message of hope and reconciliation. As the year drew to a close, Bishop Graham continued to bridge local pastoral care with engagement on national and international issues, embodying a faith that speaks to both personal and collective dimensions of human experience.