This blog was started in response to the huge amount of concern and support for Mike and Anthea Hill following a road accident on 1st October 2006.
Mike now uses it to share his thoughts on all sorts of subjects – some important, some less than important.
Mike Hill 
October 5, 2006 at 9:31 am
Continuing to hold you in our hearts.
October 5, 2006 at 11:57 am
Mike – Please know the love, support and prayers of us all at Church Army. We have prayed for you both at office prayers each day this week. I will continue to hold you both before God and pray for His healing for you and Anthea. Love Mark
October 5, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Our love and prayers to you all at this time
Norman and Barb xx
October 5, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Love and prayers to you all from friends at St Michael and All Angels, Amersham on the Hill.
October 5, 2006 at 11:32 pm
Praying the Lord will heal and strengthen you both. You were so near us in Lambourn on Sunday.
You are near us now in our thoughts.
Your old friends
Roy & Heather
October 6, 2006 at 5:35 am
All our very best and loving wishes for your speedy recovery Bishop Mike.
God Bless you, your family but most especially Anthea.
From all the folk in the village of Hannington, Wilts.
Valerie Davies.
October 6, 2006 at 8:01 am
All of us at Iain Rennie send our thoughts and prayers for you both and for your family.
Rowena Dean
October 6, 2006 at 8:42 am
We are thinking and praying for you and your family andsend you our love.
October 6, 2006 at 8:57 am
Praying for all of you that you will be comforted and strengthened; and that Anthea will be healed and able to take her place amongst you all again as wife, mum and grandma.
Praying too that you maintain the energy levels to get through this time, and in the weeks and months ahead.
Love
Judi
October 6, 2006 at 10:13 am
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to mike and especially Anthea. Will continue to pray for whole family.
October 6, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Thinking and praying for the whole family,Mike.Love and prayers,Kathy and Terry Winrow and all at Ranelagh
October 6, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Be assured of the prayers from all of us here in Woodstock & Bladon
October 6, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Dearest Anthea and Mike,
We love you both and lift Anthea and Mike to our Lord for healing and restoration and for Mike and family to sense the Lord’s peace, comfort, and strength through this difficult time of waiting on Him as He heals and guides those administering medical care for Anthea.
We and many of our family and friends continue to pray for and with you.
Our love and His gracious and unlimited blessings,
Dan and Jan Clark
October 6, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Darling people, we are praying for the Medics to have God-given wisdom at this crucial time. You are both adored by so many and everyone is rooting for you. Armfuls of love to you, Tim and Susannah Hills, Bristol
October 6, 2006 at 6:08 pm
We send our love and prayers to you all as a family and especially to Anthea, that she may know the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as the doctors slowly lift the level of sedation.
We continue to pray for you all in our parishes through the Prayer Chain.
Yours in Jesus
Richard and Suzanne
The Rectory
LEA
Malmesbury
October 6, 2006 at 9:26 pm
Hey
All our prayers and support are with all of you. You know where we are and whatever needs doing we are there, know that. Love u guys so much.
Doug & Lucy
October 7, 2006 at 12:19 am
I lift my eyes to the hills –
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip –
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you –
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the Sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm –
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and evermore.
Psalm 121
October 7, 2006 at 6:36 am
Dear Mike
My prayers are with you and Anthea for your healing and restoration. I am ever grateful for your ministry to the Men’s Group at Wonersh, Guildford, and also the parish holidays.
The Lord is near, His presence is with us.
Every blessing to you both.
Gordon Mylchreest
October 7, 2006 at 7:53 am
With our love and prayers
Tony and Anne
October 7, 2006 at 10:00 am
Dear Anthea
Thinking about you and praying for you
With love
Kathryn (IRHH)
October 7, 2006 at 10:11 am
Our love and prayers are with you both, and know that Our Lord Jesus Christ is with you and all who are supporting you at this difficult time.
All at The RISE Trust (Chippenham)
October 7, 2006 at 11:27 am
Our love and our prayers are with you all and we give thanks to our wonderful Lord for Anthea’s progress so far. All the Churches in Amersham are praying and many send you, Mike, and all the family their support and love at this time. Thank you for opening this ‘blog’ so that we can pray at special times for you all.
In Christ’s love, Ray and Celia
October 7, 2006 at 11:27 am
Just to let you know that I am thinking of you all at this difficult time. Lexa- You know if you need me you can catch me any time.
xxx
October 7, 2006 at 11:57 am
Dear Mike
David and Averil ,who are away at the moment, wish to send thier love prayers and support to all the family and are delighted to learn of Anthea’s progress today Saturday.
October 7, 2006 at 12:13 pm
Thinking of you both so much, Mike and Anthea. Tell Anthea I’ll be booking the restaurant for that girly lunch we never had. Keith sends love and prayers.
October 7, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Mike and Anthea, Naomi Alistair and Annabelle; Charis; Nick; Alexa; Lella,
You are all much loved and treasured by all who know you; not least in the Amersham Deanery, where we prayed at Deanery Synod as news reached us on Monday evening.
In Chalfont St Peter we will remember you all in our Sunday services and throughout the coming weeks, as we have during this week. Love and grace have marked out your ministry… may the love and grace of our Lord sustain you through this present trial.
October 7, 2006 at 4:21 pm
You are in our thoughts and prayers dear Mike and Anthea and family – through the wonders of technology I can e.mail David! and he and family are also praying for you all. It’s lovely to read of Anthea’s coming out of sedation – with our best love – Clare gw and family
October 7, 2006 at 9:25 pm
We rejoice in the wonderful encouraging news we just read, and hearing Mike’s message was so special.
We give thanks to the Lord for his love and mercy.
Hugs of love to y’all,
Dan and Jan
October 7, 2006 at 11:30 pm
We send our love and you are all in our prayers, especially Anthea. You are being prayed for by all in the prayer pyramid at St Mary’s Shaw.
Libby and family.
October 8, 2006 at 8:52 am
Our prayers are added to the many and thankyou so much for the blog it is wonderful to follow the progress without being a nuisance to anyone.
Carol and Peter Stickland
October 8, 2006 at 9:06 am
Thinking of you and praying for God’s grace to continue with you during this time.
October 8, 2006 at 9:28 am
You are in our thoughts and prayers here in Ireland, and it is great to hear that things are progressing well. We take every opportunity to mention you both in prayer. Your message today on the blog is a great encouragement and testimony to the grace of God
October 8, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Dear Mike & Anthea,
You were in our prayers at Bristol HMP today at the service taken by the Trinity Students. We are all very much encouraged by the news of Anthea in the bulletins and thank God for answered prayer.
Our love to you both
Brian and Margaret
October 8, 2006 at 3:14 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea – so pleased to hear that Anthea is out of sedation – all the family send their love and prayers. Anne
October 8, 2006 at 10:53 pm
You are all in my prayers daily and I thank God for Anthea’s progress so far. It is wonderful that the skill of the medical staff, the love of family and the power of prayer can all work together for good.
October 9, 2006 at 5:23 pm
Our prayers are with you night and day. We thank God for the good progress that Anthea is making, and we send our great love to you both – and to your wonderful family. Jim & Angela
October 9, 2006 at 6:51 pm
May God Heal you both, and I wish you both every
blessing.And our Prayers are with you God Bless you both Love Sarah
October 10, 2006 at 8:27 am
Thank you for making news available to us like this and for Mike’s moving message.
Many friends in CMS join in asking God’s grace, healing and blessing for you, and updates will be shared through our weekly Prayerline email.
With love from your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.
October 10, 2006 at 8:49 am
Mike & Anthea,
You both are very much in my thoughts and prayers. It was announced in our Police Chaplain’s conference [in Derbyshire] and we took time to pray for you. God bless you and keep you.
Alex
October 10, 2006 at 10:35 am
An inspiration of how God shows his love in the most difficult of situations. May Antheas’s progress continue and your whole family be uplifted and maintained in the safe arms of Jesus.
October 10, 2006 at 11:56 am
Mike and Anthea,it is good to hear of progress for Anthea. Thoughts and Prayers for you all at this time.
October 10, 2006 at 2:02 pm
Dear Mike & Anthea,
Listening to your video message Mike was so encouraging,and like you say ‘God’s grace is sufficient’.May he continue to bring healing to you and especially to Anthea, and guidance and wisdom for the doctors treating you both. Peace may not be easy at this time but our prayers and love are with you.
Richard W. and all at St. Edyth’s
October 10, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Dear Anthea
You and Mike have been, and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so glad that you are making progress.
It is good to be able to hear how you are via this site.
With love
Sarah (IRHH)
October 10, 2006 at 6:50 pm
The prayers of the whole of North Wilts Deanery are with you at this time.
Basil Miles
Lay Chairman
October 10, 2006 at 8:13 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea, you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers… especially in the middle of the night! I am praying that God will restore you, Anthea, to full duster hockey playing strength.
With much love
Wendy and Chris.
October 11, 2006 at 10:13 am
Love and prayers to you all, and good wishes for Anthea’s continued progress and recovery back to good health.
October 11, 2006 at 1:01 pm
In the words of that most beautiful hymn which has sustained me through many difficulties:
‘ I trace the rainbow through the rain and feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be’
Love and prayers
Barbara
October 11, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea,
We are praying for you and your family and are so glad to hear that Anthea’s recovery is going so well. May God bless you all as you continue to go through this difficult time together.
With our love, and the love and prayers of our families,
The students at Trinity College
October 12, 2006 at 12:49 am
Dear Bishop Mike … Holy Trinity Hotwells joins with so many others in praying for you and Anthea – Frances H. keeps us informed and told us about this blog ….praise God for the good ways in which we can use the internet! We ‘saw’ prayers swirling upwards like a snowstorm in reverse … may He keep you safe in the eye of the storm. xx
October 12, 2006 at 8:03 am
Dear Mike and Anthea,
Have been in Hong Kong since your accident but you have been in my thoughts and prayers and am so glad to hear of Anthea’s progress. Much Love.
October 12, 2006 at 8:43 am
Love and continuing prayers for you Anthea. We are rooting for you! Shaw Church
October 12, 2006 at 5:41 pm
We look forward to seeing you all again, our prayers and thoughts are with you in this testing time.
Love – Hope,Paul,Deborah and family – (Le Sueurs at Bunny)
October 12, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea – we heard about your accident and pray that the love of Jesus support and heal you. We live in S.Devon – Neil Barker’s Parish. Not met since Greenham days but have so admired all you do.
God bless from us both.
October 13, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea
We have been praying for you both and your family and wish you a speedy recovery with God’s help and blessing. I pray God’s love and blessing will strengthen you. You and your family are in the thoughts of all at St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon.
God bless you
October 14, 2006 at 10:32 pm
As we enter this the 14th day after the accident, our prayers continue to be with all of you as you try to come to terms with what has happened yet return to normality and continue to beleive, Matthew 28: 20b. Surely I will be with you always to the very end of time.
October 16, 2006 at 10:10 am
Good wishes
Vida and Valerie
Hankerton Church, Malmesbury
October 16, 2006 at 12:11 pm
We are heartfeltly praying for you all especially this lunch time as Anthea goes for surgery. You are both in our healing interecessions at Biddestone Church on Wednesdays and we will pass on the BLOG info. to them.
Junior Church is thrilled to have sent you a Get Well card.
October 16, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery to both of you
David and Maggie
Lea Church
Wiltshire
October 17, 2006 at 2:44 pm
This is a brilliant way to keep in touch without being intrusive, and think how to pray – as I come to work at my computer or wake in the night. Prayers for God to give you strength and patience in the ups and downs of the long haul. Love from Chris and Rob
October 18, 2006 at 5:45 pm
God is good and His Spirit has been evident throughout these difficult times for you all as a family – we continue to pray that He will continue to provide all that you need in His gracious love and perfect timing.
St.Ouen,
Jersey.
October 19, 2006 at 10:55 am
Whilst we’ve never met I have heard much about you both. All of it good! I am a past member of the Lee Abbey Community, Devon. We have been asked to hold you in our prayers. This I gladly do. I pray for you all that you will be strengthened and blessed by God’s love in action at this difficult time. God bless and tread boldly.
October 19, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea and family,
I am so glad to hear of the improvements to Anthea in today news on the ‘blog’. The Church I attend (Baptist), are praying for continued grace and strength for you all. God Bless you and the staff at the hospital, with widsom and guidance medically. We pray also for the family during these unsettling events, that the presence of God may be a constant source of comfort.
Love, I am sure from us here at the Diocese Church House.
Sincerely
Patricia Goddard.
October 20, 2006 at 4:44 pm
I am a agnostic but my thoughts are with you and I have no doubt that Anthea will start to make even more advances. A pleasure to read of such a stalwart caring (in the old fashioned meaning) family.
October 21, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea
I am in hospital as well at the moment also having physio daily and so my thoughts good wishes and prayers come from a fellow inmate! I do pray for you in the struggle which I know hospital can be at times and that you will know God to be as close to you as he has been to me
Take care
October 22, 2006 at 10:19 am
Dearest Annie,
We have been following your progress daily and with the love and support of Mike and the kids we know you will come and see us again soon. I have you in my thoughts all the time.We have a new grandson,(Nick and Lisa). Keep smiling my beloved old friend,
Much love
Suexxxxxxx and Richard
October 24, 2006 at 7:43 am
Dear Mike and Anthea,
I had not caught up with your news for a few days and every day holds new challenges for you,and we will continue to pray for you all and God will never leave you. We are entrusted with doing his good works, and in order to carry out those commandments we trust in His never failing love. Many Blessings
jean
October 25, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Jan and I were watching Beth Moore last night and a scripture she used struck me so strongly and reminded us of all of you. It’s from Isaiah 43:2-3a, “When you pass through the rivers, they well not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God.” May you experience this to the fullest.
You all have shown such faith and steadfastness, giving our Lord the praise for sustaining you.
We rejoice in tears at Anthea’s progress and now her being up and moving on to therapy. Praise be to God. Praying daily for Anthea and Mike’s complete healing and your strength and faith to grow through God’s unfailing love for all of you. You all have been such a tremendous testimony to so many.
Dan and Jan
October 31, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Chrissy and I have you both in our prayers, and remember the times when I, over the years have so much enjoyed the meetings (of mind) between us and your gorgeous family. We understand that you and particularly Anthea are not yet through this present situation but we do know that He is with you both, and also your gorgeous family.
Our love and prayers to you both.
From Mike and Chrissy
To our best man (our wedding)
PS Dawn – wishes to assure you of her prayers and thoughts at t5his time.
November 6, 2006 at 10:05 pm
You are all ever in our thoughts amd prayers especially today.
God Bless
Love
Malcolm & Jo
November 7, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Mike and Anthea,
Just to reassure of our continued prayers for you especially after the recent surgery. We shall continue to uphold you in our prayers.
Gorsley Baptist.
November 8, 2006 at 11:48 am
I was pleased to read today in the Evening Post that Anthea has taked her first steps. This is most wonderful news and reason to rejoice. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you.
From all at St Gregory the Great, Horfield.
November 8, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Dear Mike and Anthea,
Just to let you know that plenty of your friends including ourselves at Woodlands Christian Centre in Bristol are continuing to pray for you both and the family. As a Church we do value our strong links with our Anglican friends and we pray God’s blessing on you all.
1 John 3 v 1. ‘How great is the love that God has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.
Love,
Paul, Fiona and Grace Ford
November 8, 2006 at 9:19 pm
I knew Andrea for a short while when I began working as a volunteer at the Charles Clore Unit in Newbury. Dorothy Hillier was also a volunteer and we both continue to work there. Our thoughts are with Andrea and her family.
November 12, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Dear Mike & Anthea
We are from the Redcliffe, Bristol Parish.
Our thoughts & prayers remain with you.
Love
Alexandra & Chris
November 13, 2006 at 9:36 am
Dear Mike, Anthea and family,
Just to say that I am still praying for you guys that God’s strenth and peace will cry you as a family. Anthea I am constantley amazed each time I go on the blog site of your progress you are an amazing lady! Oliver is doing a fantastic job at keeping us up to spead.
Lots of love,
Sheelagh
Proverbs 3 5-6
November 22, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Dear Bishop Mike&Anthea.
Thanks be to God that you are now in your home.His promise is that He is your protector and He is always awake.He will guard you; He is by your side to protect you.We are always in prayer for you and the entire family.
Rev.Francis-Muhangi
Psalm 121:1-5
November 22, 2006 at 9:03 pm
Thanks be to God for bringing you home so quickly. Our prayers will continue that the progress you have made will continue.
November 25, 2006 at 11:07 pm
Have been following your progress and am thrilled to hear you are home Anthea. Still thinking and praying for you and Mike and all the family.Lots of love,
Libby and co.
November 26, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Great to see that Anthea is home. We are only too aware things will take a while but we all have much to be thankful for.
God Bless.
Tina & Richard
January 11, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Have only just come across your blog. Met you some years ago at a Men’s Breakfast at St. Mary’s in Thame. Couple of “unchurched” people (hate that title) I was with there were mightily impressed – “he’s a good, ordinary bloke like you or me”! Moved to Bristol in 2003 at the same time as you. Part of the church community at St Aldhelm’s and with interests in the emerging church at Foundation. Am enjoying your blog (nice mix)! Best wishes to you and your family.
March 10, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Bishop,
I enjoy this blog greatly. Keep up the insights.
March 29, 2007 at 12:01 am
I am so very disappointed Mike that you have made no comment on your blog about the Abolition debate. Why was the Bishop of Bath and Wells at the discussion on Points West last Sunday? Why were you not representing Bristol?
April 21, 2007 at 12:59 am
Hey,
I love what you’e doing!
Don’t ever change and best of luck.
Raymon W.
April 25, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Looks Like Dallas is in trouble!
Phoenix might end up blowing them all away.
PHX vs. Det. Hmmm..Could be interesting?
June 13, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Hi Mike,
Our love to both you and Anthea, you are often in our thoughts and prayers. May God’s presence be with you both.
Fiona & Steve
July 26, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Re the plight of people in Gloucestershire without drinking water – eg old people in sheltered housing featured on BBC1 tonight. In other parts of the world, the Church can be crucial in this sort of crisis – they can identify the most needy in the community and organise distribution.
We in Bristol are less than an hour’s drive away from this area and have plenty of water in shops and taps. Bishop Mike, could you get the dioceses together and ‘twin’ churches so we could share what we’ve got? (They are talking about 2 weeks for some people before drinking water will be available.) eg drive carloads to particularly needy places; meet halfway on motorway to deliver to church reps from the area; invite people to Bristol to use washing machines or have a shower?
If too late to set in motion now, perhaps set something up for the next flood/drought, assuming this won’t be the last.
August 3, 2007 at 2:40 pm
No more blogging, Bishop?
August 22, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Just a short note to say I like your blog.
Good job and keep up the great work!
Kenneth
September 1, 2007 at 12:29 am
Wow, there is some really nice info here.
I’ll definitely come back soon to see everything.
Way to go! 😉
Joey
October 14, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I admire you Bishop Mike for speaking out on several issues – but WHY is the church always silent when it comes to grass root things like redundancy (Cadbury’s). I really do hope that the local priests in the area and yourself speak up for those who have lost their Jobs. It’s always very easy to speak up about things a long long way away but who speaks up for the working class?
Rev Uriah Thomas from Bristol’s highbury chapel was an outstanding example of a man who stood beside workers at the end of the 19th century.
Whilst I admire the fact that you speak out it would be good to hear some harsh condemnation and also the local priests leaving the golf course to join strikes and protesters.
It has to be said that for most of the second half of the 20th cent the good old C of E has been a bastion for the middle class conscience.
I think it is time for the good old C of E to walk the walk and meet people where they are at.
October 14, 2007 at 1:35 pm
– – – – and whilst I’m on one. Wouldn’t it be nice to see more ministers out and about in the parish. Priests are like policemen – you used to see them in the parish but now you don’t.
Where I lived in Wales the Parish priest used to be the source of all local gossip (and usually spread it too).
I have never seen my local priest (small market town) shopping or cycling/walking. Is it any wonder that people are allienated from the church when the one source of contact isn’t there!
There is however one minister in St Andrews who can be seen on his bike out and about in the parish. This is an excellent form of mission and reassuring people of a Christian presencse here.
If only we could see more of them in shops and libraries. They are like the front men/women for the church and should be going out to meet people.
There is a complacency in the church of England that thinks people Want to come to the Church. However the truth I think isn’t so much that Tradional worship is inaccessible – but more that people have little experience of it.
Bishop Mike I think you should order your ministers out of their cars to explore their parishes – the places where people work and live!