Final service as Bishop of Shrewsbury moves to pastures new
He has shepherded his flock for more than nine years but now, The Right Reverend Mark Rylands, Bishop of Shrewsbury has led his last service and departed for pastures new in the Exeter Diocese.
Last night he held his farewell service. During his time in Shrewsbury, he has achieved much including encouraging the growth of family Messy Churches, and helping set up Street Pastors in Telford and Shrewsbury.
A passionate cricketer and angler, he has been a regular fixture in Lichfield Diocese’s cricket team since 2010 and managed the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Cricket XI since 2014.
He will now take up his role as Priest-in-Charge of the Ashburton and Moorland Team in Exeter Diocese where he will also be an Assistant Bishop.
Bishop Mark’s wife Mandy, a prebendary emeritus of Exeter Cathedral, has served in a variety of roles in Lichfield Diocese including as Prestfelde School Chaplain, Salop Area Adviser for the Ministry of Women, Diocesan Adviser for Self-Supporting Ministry, Assistant Priest at St Chad’s Shrewsbury, Assistant Rural Dean for Shrewsbury Deanery, Interim Priest for the Severn Loop parishes and Interim Diocesan Director of Ordinands.
Bishop of Lichfield Dr Michael Ipgrave said Bishop Mark and Mandy would both be sorely missed and wished them well.
He said: “I know that the whole Diocese of Lichfield will want to join with me in wishing Bishop Mark and Mandy well as they return to Devon – but I know too how much they will be missed.”
