Emily Albury from Avon Valley Churches has given her final address as Girl Bishop at St Mary’s Church in Fordingbridge. During a heartfelt sermon, in which she focused on her passion for nature and the environment, Emily encouraged and challenged people to try and help preserve the natural world with a list of achievable aims for the year.

For some years, St Mary’s has appointed a Girl or Boy Bishop, usually from the choir, who ‘reigns’ from the first Sunday of December to the first Sunday of January. This mediaeval tradition was originally customary in cathedrals when the Bishop (traditionally a man) would leave his throne and the Boy Bishop would take his place – a reminder that ‘the first shall be last, and the last first’ (Matthew 20:16).

Emily was enthroned on the first Sunday of December 2021 when she was robed in a stole, vestment, pectoral cross, ring and mitre, and given a pastoral staff. She remained robed during Advent and Christmas and led parts of the main morning service.

Emily said: “I really enjoyed being Girl Bishop because I liked being able to share my thoughts about God and the environment when I did my sermon. I also liked being a Girl Bishop because it shows that girls can be bishops as well as boys.”

On the first Sunday of the New Year, on which Epiphany is celebrated, the Young Bishop delivers their traditional ‘sermon’ – a short address on a topic of their choosing. These have been very memorable at St Mary’s over the years, ranging from care for a disabled friend to the story of Baboushka. In Emily’s inspiring address she spoke of God’s gift of nature and the many species of flowers and animals prevalent in the nearby New Forest but also countless others which are endangered throughout the world. The reaction from AVC’s seven churches and online congregations has been enormous and many have responded with promises to react to her inspiring appeal.

Emily recommends that we all try to: use renewable energy at home, avoid driving when we can and try walking instead, plant a tree, eat less meat and recycle as much as possible.

Canon Gary Philbrick of St Mary’s in Fordingbridge has given Emily permission this spring to flower bomb an area of the graveyard to help encourage more wildlife to flourish.