3 January 2024
The new Bishop of Bradwell, The Right Reverend Adam Atkinson was ordained and consecrated as Bishop at Westminster Abbey by The Archbishop of Canterbury on 29 September.
At the service, Archbishop Justin Welby presented Bishop Adam with his unique pectoral cross made from fully recycled materials.
Bishop Adam specially commissioned East London jewellery maker, Jay Keshani, to design the cross. Since 2017 Jay has specialised in handcrafted pieces using recycled single use plastic.
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Bishop Adam's pectoral cross was made from plastic bottle tops.
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Bishop Adam is pictured here receiving his pectoral cross from the Archbishop of Canterbury. The cross was specially commissioned by Bishop Adam and is made from fully recycled materials.
Bishop Adam’s cross, a mix of dark green and jade-like colours, was made from approximately 15 waste plastic bottle tops.
The pectoral cross is an important symbol of a bishop’s ministry alongside the pastoral staff, cope and mitre.
Speaking about his cross, Bishop Adam said: “The pectoral cross is a wonderful piece of equipment for me. It not only looks and feels beautiful and intriguing, but, being repurposed waste plastic, reflects an important theme and passion for many of us relating to the natural environment and caring for God’s creation.
Something discarded as waste reworked in the service of God to be something beautiful is also a symbol of grace and what we can be through Jesus.
“I hope this simple pectoral cross will spark conversations about how we can protect the natural environment, take responsibility for our actions and waste, but also provoke us to think about the gospel.”
Jay added:
“I was delighted to be invited by Bishop Adam to design his pectoral cross. This was certainly the first cross I’ve made from plastic bottle tops and like all my designs it’s one of a kind. I enjoy creating pieces out of what others may consider rubbish. My designs are a gentle reminder that there is hope with regards to plastic pollution and my goal is to raise awareness and encourage people to repurpose the waste they produce.”
Jay is in conversation with Bishop Adam about further cross designs in other colours – purple, red and gold- to represent the liturgical colours of significant seasons in the church calendar.
Find out more about Jay’s eco jewellery at www.yagoeco.com
