Patron

Our Patron,

The Right Reverend Dr Lee Rayfield, Bishop Of Swindon.

“You can be anything you want” is a phrase heard in many motivational speeches designed to help younger people have visions and dream dreams.  While I am totally behind the intention you will never find me telling anyone we can be whatever we set our heart on.  The reality is we can’t and shows like X Factor illustrate this painfully.  How is it that men and women of all ages believe they can be the next Leona Lewis or Matt Cardle when they can barely hit a note?

We cannot be anything we set our heart on - we can become the person we were gifted to be.  At first this sounds like the same thing, but it isn’t.  If you are not gifted with a great voice – at least potentially – it would be wise not to audition for X Factor.  Yet each of us has gifts and talents that need to be discovered and shared.  Every person is full of potential and the key is discovering or unlocking what that might be.

Rather than wishing we were someone else, envying their talents, looks, wealth or position, each of us invited – or indeed challenged – to fulfill that potential which Christians regard as God-given.  That potential sees us triumph over even the toughest starts in life or most difficult of circumstances.  We hear about this all the time – people who have chosen not to give up or take the easy, and frequently destructive, road out of their problems. 

One of the reasons I am a Patron is because The Clivey is committed to helping young people achieve their full potential and make good choices.  I continue to be hugely grateful to the team of people involved with The Clivey and the ways in which they are using their gifts to benefit the young people of Swindon.  It is heartening to see this recognised more widely in being named ‘Best Voluntary Group’ in the Best of Swindon awards 2011.

The Rt Revd Dr Lee Rayfield

Bishop of Swindon