Hi everyone. I’m Matthew Porter. I recently started out as the new Bishop of Bolton.

Colin has been to our house twice in the last month.

He works for a well-known DIY and garden business, delivering large items.

He’s brought some big bags of pebbles which we’ve needed as we’re re-modelling the outside space at home. We’ve got chatting as he does his work.

When Colin first came I asked him about his shifts.

It was the afternoon and he said that our delivery was his last job and then he was soon to go on holiday.

He was excited about the trip and I could see that he was really looking forward to the break with his wife.

It reminded me that we all need time and space to rest and that a change of scenery can do us the world of good.

Colin was good at his job.

Not only was he polite and friendly but his parking was considerate, and he could work the crane arm of the truck with great precision, placing the bags in the exact spot where I asked. I noticed this and thanked him for his care and attention to detail.

Colin asked me what I did, so I told him I was a bishop.

He then told me about his family, and the difficult bereavement they’d had last year I said I’d pray and when he came the second time I mentioned that I had, and he was grateful. He told me he didn’t go to church, although some of his family did. Colin then told me a fascinating story about a friend who’d found faith and returned to church, to which I commented ‘Well it’s not too late for you, Colin.’ He smiled and said ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Colin is a likeable, down-to-earth, local man who cares for his family and does a good day’s work.

Colin is not his real name; I’ve changed it to preserve anonymity. I reckon many of us are probably a bit like Colin. Perhaps we’re not often thanked. Maybe we don’t know we’re valued because we’re not often told.

Sometimes family don’t tell us. Sometimes even the church doesn’t tell us, forgetting to mention that Jesus came to show us that there’s a compassionate, close-by God who greatly appreciates us.

I’d like to see that change, so everyone knows they’re deeply cherished. In particular I want Bolton people to know just how loved they are. People just like Colin.