First female bishop to preach live on BBC

The Right Reverend Debbie Sellin was installed in March as the new Bishop of Peterborough, whose diocese covers the northern part of the city, Northamptonshire and Rutland

Peterborough’s first female Bishop will preach at a live Pentecost service which is being broadcast on BBC One on Sunday.

The Feast of Harvest service, the 50th day of Easter, comes from All Saints' Church in Northampton and will include a sermon by the Bishop of Peterborough, the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin in her first visit to the town.

The BBC broadcasts three live church services a year - at Christmas, Easter and Pentecost.

Bishop Sellin, who was consecrated as the 39th bishop in the diocese at Peterborough Cathedral in March, said she was delighted to be asked to preach at the service.

As the town's Civic Church, All Saints is used for public occasions such as the Remembrance Service for Elizabeth II in 2022

The service will be led by the rector of All Saints', Father Oliver Coss.

The building is the county town's Civic Church and it was rebuilt after the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675 with an intricate central dome, inspired by Sir Christopher Wren's St Paul's Cathedral in London.

The BBC says it will provide "beautiful choral music and much-loved hymns".

“Northampton is such an important town in our diocese and I am pleased to be able to share God’s love with the community, as well as all who watch the broadcast, on the joyous feast of Pentecost," said the bishop.

Father Coss said: "We’re very excited to welcome the BBC and Bishop Debbie to All Saints.

"We look forward to celebrating Pentecost together and do hope that worshippers from across the diocese can join us too."

No tickets are required and doors open at 09:30 BST.

2024: A Celebration for Pentecost is broadcast live on BBC One on Sunday at 10:30, and is available on the BBC iPlayer.