Full photo gallery from Bishop Steven’s farewell service.
Clergy, church leaders and communities from across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire gathered on Trinity Sunday to mark the final service of the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft as Bishop of Oxford.
The service took place at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday 31 May 2026 at 5.05pm. It was a chance to give thanks for Bishop Steven’s faithful ministry in the diocese over the past ten years, offering prayers and good wishes to both him and his wife Ann, and witness the laying down of the diocesan Pastoral Staff.
Bishop Steven opened his farewell sermon by thanking those present for their companionship, support and prayers over the past decade, reflecting on the many people who had shaped his ministry and the life of the diocese. He then turned to the theme of “wrestling with God”, drawing on the story of Jacob and St Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Sharing his children and grandchildren’s love of the TV show Gladiators – the “modern equivalent of wrestling” – he brought along giant foam fingers for grandchildren and fellow bishops alike. Bishop Gavin joked about the “new mitres” he had expected them all to wear in his absence.
Encouraging the congregation to embrace the call of baptism to “fight valiantly” for the gospel, Bishop Steven urged the Church to continue striving for “a more Christ-like Church in a more just and peaceful world”. Ending with Jacob’s encounter with God at Peniel, he reflected on how faithful wrestling leaves its mark but also brings blessing, giving thanks for all that God has done in the Diocese of Oxford and expressing hope for all that is still to come.
Read Bishop Steven’s full farewell sermon.
The farewell liturgy throughout the service reflected many of the themes that have shaped his episcopal ministry contemplation, compassion, courage (the three Cs), reconciliation and hope.
Bishop Steven personally selected the readings for the service, including Genesis 32, Psalm 131, Colossians 4 and the Beatitudes from Matthew 5. Readings were given by Canon Mark Humphriss (the Diocesan Secretary), Revd Susy Brouard and the Rt Revd Olivia Graham (previous Bishop of Reading).
The service was officiated by the Very Revd Professor Sarah Foot. Music was sung by the Cathedral Singers of Christ Church under the direction of Susannah Hill, with Richard Moore, Sub-Organist of Christ Church, and worship songs led by David Clifton and daughter-in-law Beth Croft.
Tributes during the service were offered by:
- Marjorie Glasgow BEM, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire
- Imam Monawar Hussein MBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire
- Professor Irene Tracey CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford
- The Rt Revd Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester
Imam Monowar said in his tribute:
“It has been both a privilege and a deep personal joy to work alongside Bishop Steven over the past decade. During that time, across Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley, we have witnessed the quiet but powerful deepening of relationships between our communities of faith and our wider civic life... we have gathered for peace vigils, bringing together people of all faiths and of none, united in compassion, hope, and a shared longing for peace. More than that, the group has helped reimagine interfaith engagement, drawing in not only faith leaders but also civic authorities, police leadership, representatives from both our universities, and Members of Parliament. You have called us not to remain strangers — across faiths, across institutions, across difference — but to come to the table, to trust, to listen, and to build peace. You have lived those words in every quiet gesture, every patient conversation, and every act of leadership.”
Bishop Gavin reflected on what we have learnt from Bishop Steven:
“You have consistently reminded us of our calling, and challenged, inspired and equipped us to be, “A more Christ-like Church”. – That’s the call you have led for us, as this particular part of the church: those who call ourselves Anglicans in these 3 counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. And it is the standard that you have consistently, impressively and inspiringly modelled, lived-out and exemplified for us during these 10 years in post... you have inspired, encouraged and enabled so many to draw closer to as we “Come and see” in our lives and in our churches the love of the God who you have served so well.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Lt and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford echoed the theme of the three Cs, particularly drawing out Bishop Steven’s compassion across the different cornerstones of diocesan life and ministry.
Prayers were led by the Revd Ayo Audu, a former chaplain to the bishop, and the Revd Serena Tajima, Deans of the UKME Chapter of the Diocese of Oxford.
Towards the end of the service Bishop Steven shared a blessing specially written by him for the occasion, praying that God would make the Diocese of Oxford:
“contemplative in glory, compassionate in kindness and courageous in bringing life to desert places.”
In an emotional conclusion to the service, Bishop Steven formally lay down the diocesan Pastoral Staff, handing it to the Dean of Christ Church with the words:
“For you I have been your bishop. With you I am a Christian, a fellow sinner seeking the love and mercy of God. I thank God for the privilege of being bishop in this place and for our partnership in the Gospel.”
Following the surrendering of the staff, Bishop Steven removed his cope and mitre, revealing an L plate on his back – a poignant throwback to his installation as Bishop of Oxford in 2016 when he also wore L plates.
Speaking in an upcoming edition of Pathways magazine, Bishop Steven explained:
“We never lose the L plates as Christians... The L plates have become a symbol of all I have learned across the last decade in this immensely fulfilling role.”
The Bishop left the Cathedral to rapturous applause, before a drinks reception with his well-wishers to round off the evening’s celebrations.
A final detail in the order of service reflects something deeply personal to Bishop Steven’s ministry: on the back cover is a cross drawn by a child, featuring the words “God”, “Jesus”, “The Holy Spirit” and the phrase: “the river of peace is on you”.
Bishop Steven will formally step back from office later this summer following a gradual handover of responsibilities to the diocesan leadership team led by the Rt Revd Gavin Collins, the Rt Revd Mary Gregory and the Rt Revd Dave Bull.
