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March 2021 March 2021

‘YOU DON’T KNOW ME BUT…’ “I look forward to working with Bishop Karen - and the Dean, Diocesan Secretary
and Archdeacons - to renew hope at a time of unprecedented transition. Our
Lord is near."
Diocesan Secretary David Pain added:
Artsreach
reaches out with “Bishop Nicholas has been an inspiration and encouragement to many, within and
beyond the church. I have experienced him as able to both affirm what is good in
new Telephone
all that we inherit and at the same time envision and encourage change where it
Theatre Play is needed.
Dorset’s rural touring “His vision for ‘Renewing Hope’ has shaped the Diocese and is as relevant now as
arts charity, Artsreach, ever. In a fast-changing context his belief that the local church is the place where
is pleased to present the Church of England is at its best will continue to be important as we all seek to
Stute Theatre’s ‘You respond to God’s calling on our lives. Nationally, in church and parliament, he has
Don’t Know Me But…’, been a great advocate for climate justice as well as a champion for inclusion
a new show written which will remain fundamental to our shared future. His wisdom in these and many
and performed by winning theatre maker Sophia Hatfield and directed by Olivier other areas will be greatly missed.
Award Winning Theatre and BBC Radio Director Gwenda Hughes.
“People across the Diocese will want, I am sure, to unite in wishing him and Helen
Performed live over the telephone, this innovative piece allows audience every happiness as they prepare for retirement.”
members the opportunity to experience a real live theatre performance from the
comfort of their own home, at a time when live face-to-face theatre is not The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, today thanked Bishop Nicholas for his
possible. work leading the Church of England’s Environment programme, saying:
Meet Vick. Care giver, Mother, Partner and Daughter. You’ve almost certainly “During Bishop Nick’s tenure as lead bishop for the environment, his moral clarity
walked past her in the street, stood behind her in a queue or driven past her in and Christ-centred vision for the Church’s role in tackling the climate crisis have
your car. Now take the time to delve a little deeper and experience a day in her shown themselves time and time again. We are all the beneficiaries of his
life. leadership, and I give thanks for the legacy he leaves: from the Church’s first ever
Green Lent campaign, to initiatives aimed at helping parishes reduce their carbon
Vick is a care worker in a residential home. As her working day progresses, hear footprint. Most enduringly, I hope, we have Bishop Nick to thank for a landmark
her running from place to place, helping residents to dress, keeping them calm General Synod motion in 2020 setting a target of net zero across the whole Church
and offering a friendly ear to talk to. But today, something is different. The day’s by 2030.
encounters gradually uncover a deeply hidden memory and Vick finds herself
transported back to her childhood, where a traumatic incident changes her “I am deeply grateful to him for his tireless work and colleagueship as a fellow
outlook forever... bishop, and for leading the Church’s Environment Programme through a time of
enormous growth. Both he and his family will be much in my prayers as he

Inspired by real memories and prepares for the next stage of his ministry, as will everyone in the Diocese of
interviews from a care home, Salisbury as they prepare to say farewell to Nick and Helen in the summer.”
this innovative and intimate

20-minute audio play
highlights unsung stories of Notes
everyday care across
generations and celebrates Nicholas Holtam was ordained Deacon in 1979, Priest in 1980 and Bishop in 2011.
the dedication and spirit of He served as Assistant Curate at St Dunstan and All Saints Stepney (1979-83); Tutor
workers and residents in care in Christian Ethics and Mission at Lincoln Theological College (1983-87); Vicar of
homes across the UK. Expect Christ and St John with St Luke’s Isle of Dogs (1988-95); and Vicar of St Martin-in-the
live music, beautiful writing -Fields (1995-2011). As Bishop of Salisbury, he has led the Diocese which covers

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