Romsey Abbey was full to overflowing at the end of November, when people from all over the Diocese and beyond gathered to say farewell to Bishop Paul, Rosemary and their family.

‘Beyond’ included the Roman Catholic diocese of Portsmouth represented by Bishop Crispian, and the Methodist Church represented by The Revd Tom Stuckey, former chairman of the Methodist Conference; from further afield came Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi from Burundi, and others from the African Lakes Province.

The Butlers came to Winchester five and a half years ago from Walthamstow, East London, where Paul had been team Rector and Area Dean.

During his time here, as well as doing what bishops do, he has engaged in work outside the Diocese, nationally and internationally, and won people’s hearts and minds far more effectively than most politicians ever do, by his genuine interest in the people he has met and those for whom he has had responsibility.

So there was lots to give God thanks for, and we did it with music embracing all liturgical tastes, from songs led by Highfield Church’s Worship Group, to the Abbey Choirs’ singing of Howell’s setting of the Magnificat, and Vaughan Williams’ setting of Let all the world in every corner sing. That musical catholicity reflected Paul’s ability to be at home with people from different traditions in the Diocese, though he has never made a secret of his evangelical roots.

In his sermon, as well as describing his journey form commitment to Christ as a teenager to his present service as bishop, Paul told of the way the story of Joshua, with its constant encouragement to be strong and trust in God had kept him going through difficult times as well as the easy periods, as he sought to do the only thing he had ever wanted to do: enable people to know Jesus for themselves.

Archbishop Bernard spoke of the work Paul has done in Africa, as Chairman of CMS and in personal ways too, and Bishop Michael paid tribute to Paul’s wise and steadying contribution to Diocesan life in Winchester. There were presentations to Paul and Rosemary, before the congregation moved from a feast of thanksgiving to a feast of refreshments, and an opportunity to greet friends from other parts of the Diocese.

Paul leaves us now to be Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, familiar ground for him, for that’s where he was at University, but new to the rest of the family. His service of welcome as he takes up his new responsibilities will be on 27th February in Southwell Minster. (We seem to have got into the habit of supplying that Diocese with senior clergy – perhaps it’s time we had some in return!)

Our prayers go with Paul as he settles in, and with Rosemary and Sarah the youngest member of the family who will stay here until she has finished her GCSE exams.