Two weeks ago, our former Vicar, Nick Holtam, retired after 10 years as Bishop of Salisbury and 42 years in ordained ministry. His time at St Martin’s (1995-2011) was marked by the renewal project, but there was so much more beyond that. I will always cherish his love of this community near and far and his special gift of ensuring that the grandeur of our location and history was utilised in the service of those most in need in our society. The building was only a means to an end. He was clear – St Martin’s is a place of prayer and care where God’s hand can be seen at work on every level. The ‘national institution’ or base for broadcasts, culture and hospitality are all in the service of a greater purpose.
In her farewell speech for Nick at Salisbury Cathedral, the Bishop of Sherborne, Karen Gorham, told him how the description of the Bishop as man of the people ‘has characterised your ministry. Not a fleeting interest, but a deep concern for the lost, the last and the least.’ She said, ‘You have continued to champion the rights of the deaf and disabled, same sex couples, and being married to a Quaker has given you and Helen a shared awareness of the needs of our partners in the Sudans, and a care for the environment and a determination to support and speak out.’ As the Church of England’s lead Bishop on the Environment, Nick has ensured that Climate Change is at the top of the agenda for the Church with a commitment to being carbon neutral by 2030.
The tributes and thanks on the Diocese in Salisbury website are a delight but the response from Nick with this prayer in his final sermon is typically wry, self-deprecating and above all faithful.
‘Lord God, Thou hast appointed me in the church as bishop and pastor. Thou seest how unfit I am to attend to such a great and difficult office, and if it had not been for Thy help, I would long since have ruined everything. Therefore, I call upon Thee.
Amen to that. I might have ruined everything. If I haven’t, thanks be to God.’
The lesson in that prayer works for everyone.
Thank you and go well Nick and Helen. All at St Martin’s wish you a rich and joyful retirement.
Andrew Caspari
