PERHAPS I’m a Philistine, but I’m not enraged over the stolen Herefordshire Holy Grail.

I sympathise, yet it does nothing to my faith. Therein lies the past.!

On the other hand, I praise God over the Anglican vote for women bishops. That speaks volumes about faith and the Christian gospel. There is the future.

My denomination has accepted women leaders for over a century. And, to me, gender has never been the criterion for effectiveness in those roles. Instead it has been whether that

person rejoices over what God has done in Jesus. I want my bishop to be someone who loves their Lord, and wants to share God’s love and grace to others - no matter the gender.

Therein lies hope and joy.

So, leave the past behind. Let us learn to live in the joy of Christ and let him love others through us.

REVEREND DUNCAN TUCK Worcester & The Malverns United Reformed Churches