Surfing Bishop Reverend Dr. Michael Volland has been announced as the new Bishop of Birmingham. He’ll replace The Right Reverend David Urquhart, who retired last October.
Dr. Volland will relocate to the Midlands from Cambridge, where he served as Principal of Ridley Hall, the Cambridge University college that prepares CofE clergy for ordination, and where he was once a student himself.
His welcoming event was held in the cathedral. “We look forward to welcoming Michael to the wonderfully diverse city region that we serve as the Church of England, Birmingham. We pray for him as he prepares to join us in our calling to be a transformed and transforming church at the heart of our communities,” The Rt. Revd Anne Hollinghurst, who’s Bishop of Aston, and has been Acting Bishop of Birmingham in the lead up to his appointment said during the event.
Speaking about his appointment, Dr Volland said: “I am excited to be following the call of God to serve the city and region as the next Bishop of Birmingham. The family and I are looking forward to making our home in Birmingham, getting to know and love people and communities, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ alongside Christians across the Church of England Birmingham. Please pray for us as we prepare to move into God’s hopeful future.”
Volland will continue to lead Ridley Hall, until the end of 2023, and is expected to be installed in his new position in the new year.
Dr. Volland has a Masters from Kings College London, focused on youth ministry and theological education. Michael has been at Ridley since 2017. Before moving to Cambridge, he taught mission, evangelism, and church planting to ordinands at Cranmer Hall in Durham. He led the East Durham Mission Project and served as chaplain to the Durham Army Cadet Force.