As you will probably have heard, Bishop Ian died suddenly on the afternoon of last Thursday.  He had been suffering from cancer and was due to take early retirement in July.  Bishop Ian, who was ordained in 1970, had been our bishop since 1996.  We had recently contributed to a book to be presented to him to make his retirement.  Our thoughts are with his family. 

[Psalm 23] 
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
 [2]He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 
 [3]He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 
 [4]Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 
 [5]Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 
 [6]Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Eternal Lord God, we remember before you to-day your faithful servant Ian Cundy, Bishop of Peterborough. We pray that having opened to him the gates of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your joyful service and that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever Amen. 
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: give to your whole church both in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen. 

