In his New Year message, the Bishop of Penrith calls for people to focus on the light of Jesus Christ as they contend with potential challenges in 2023.

The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh was filmed at St Andrew’s Penrith and, in part, reflects on the cost-of-living crisis that tens of thousands of people are currently facing.

Bishop Rob says: “Today, in one of the largest economies in the world, many will go hungry and cold because they cannot afford the basics. Despite all the amazing work that so many people in our communities and churches do to support people, many feel pretty lacking in hope as this new year begins.”

However, he also considers the hope that we have as followers of Jesus Christ, a ‘God made ordinary’, who was born into this world and suffered death upon the cross for our salvation.

He adds: “God is there with us in difficult times. He doesn’t magically make difficult stuff go away, or land a million pounds in our lap, much as we might wish he would. But he does give us the strength to step into a new year, whatever challenges it might bring and his love gives us confidence that we are not alone.”

Bishop Rob concludes by urging Christians to bear witness to Jesus’ love and help others in 2023 and beyond.

To view Bishop Rob’s New Year message for 2023 visit the Diocese of Carlisle’s YouTube channel.

Notes to editors

A full transcript of Bishop Rob’s New Year message for 2023 is attached below.

“It’s a sad thing, but we used to look forward to new year more than we do now. New year meant a new start, gratitude for what has been, and a commitment to new things.

As we enter 2023, it feels like this hope is missing. Last year’s top word was permacrisis, and it feels like we lurch from one challenge to another.

Today, in one of the largest economies in the world, many will go hungry and cold because they cannot afford the basics. Despite all the amazing work that so many people in our communities and churches do to support people, many feel pretty lacking in hope as this new year begins.

For Christians, what do we hold on to? John’s gospel speaks of a light shining in the darkness and says that the darkness cannot overcome it. This hope, this light, is a person, Jesus, God with us. God is born in a normal place, into a normal, ordinary family. The Christmas story is special because it is about God joining the ordinary – a place and a family like our own.

And this shows that God cares about the everyday. Each place, each person, is somehow known and special to God . He isn’t somewhere else with his phone on do not disturb. Rather, God is there with us in difficult times. He doesn’t magically make difficult stuff go away, or land a million pounds in our lap, much as we might wish he would. But he does give us the strength to step into a new year, whatever challenges it might bring and his love gives us confidence that we are not alone.

Our faith doesn’t solve our problems, or protect us from challenge, but it tells us that we are known and loved, that our worth is not in what we have or our success. It tells us that our security lies elsewhere, that we can step into the unknown, putting our hand into the hand of one who loves us and can bear us through any challenge. And as followers of Jesus, we are called each day to bring something of his healing and his hope to our neighbours in this new year.

May you know His love, His hope and His help this year.”

Ends

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.