May 2016
50p
The
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
Parish of Tamworth
PCC/DCC - what’s the difference?
Having just finished the round of
Annual Church meetings, some
members were confused about the
difference between PCC and DCC.
The Parish of Tamworth is made up
of 4 churches, each of which resides
within its own District. Each District
has a Church Council (DCC) which is
concerned with issues relating to the
individual church.
[St Editha’s DCC deals with issues
relating solely to St Editha’s.
St Andrew’s DCC deals with issues
relating solely to St Andrews etc].
Every year, each District holds an
Annual Meeting (ADCM) to elect
representatives and church officials
for the individual church. Voting at
the ADCM is open to anyone on the
electoral roll of the individual church.
The Parochial Church Council
(PCC) is made up of representatives
from all four churches and is
concerned with issues relating to
the Parish as a whole (i.e. the four
churches together).
The APCM is the annual meeting
for the Parish to elect representatives
and church officials for the Parish
(all four churches together). Voting
at the APCM is open to anyone on
the electoral roll of any of the four
churches within the Parish.
Currently, every member of St
Editha’s DCC is also a member of
the PCC; whereas St Andrew’s, St
Chad’s and St Francis only have a
limited number of representatives on
the PCC. The church wardens of St
Editha’s have traditionally assumed
the role of Parish Wardens as well.
This has led to come confusion over
the delineation between the Parish
and St Editha’s with many people
interchanging the two (i.e. speaking of
‘the Parish’ while meaning St Editha’s
and vice versa).
D = District = individual church
P = Parish = all four churches
Featured inside...
The Vicar writes
Role of the PCC
Christian Aid
60 years a Priest
The Bookshop
Occasional Offices
Thy Kingdom Come
Parish Diary
Elizabeth Wilson
Church pages
Children’s pages
vol 61
no. 5
Parish details
email: [email protected]
website: www.stedithas.org.uk
Tamworth, St Editha’s
Vicar Revd Alan Gordon
66776
Reader Mr A Newbold
Sacristan Mrs V Pearson
54671
Church Office 29 Church Street B79 7BX
68339
Bookshop Manager Mrs J Harrison
52598
Churchwardens Mrs G Wilkinson
282200
Mrs D Perry
283275
Organist/choirmaster Mr K Edwards
01213780633
Altar Guild Secretary Mrs D Mobbs
281908
Bellringers captain Mr A Else
53163
Tamworth (St Editha’s) Brownies Hayley Menzies 07960654323
Tamworth (St Editha’s) Rainbows Hazel Engley 07804120737
Secretary Mrs G Wilkinson
68339
DCC Treasurer Ms B Brookman
PCC Treasurer Mr J Cotterill
Hopwas, St Chad’s
Minister Vacant
Churchwardens Mrs H plant, Mr D Morris
Deputy Wardens Mr N Thomas, Mrs I Morris
DCC Secretary Mrs D Batchelor
Treasurer Mr R Jones
68874
Organist Mrs A Rickard
Verger/caretaker Mr R Phipps
313596
Church hall bookings Mr J Jackson
63999
Kettlebrook, St Andrew’s
Churchwardens Mrs J Beadle
703073
Mrs V Attwood
703027
DCC Minute Secretary Mrs A Cox
Treasurer Mr B Insull
Organist Mrs R Bridge
Verger Mr G Siddles
Leyfields and Coton Green, St Francis’
Minister Revd Vic Van Den Bergh
65926
Lay Pioneer Minister Mrs W Van Den Bergh
Churchwardens Mr C Grant, Mr G Higgs
DCC Secretary Mrs T Peace
Treasurer Mrs C Higgs
2
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
The Vicar writes...
In last month’s letter I
promised to tell the tale
of the blind men and
the elephant, but before
doing so a quick recap. It
started with the question,
“Are all religions not the
same?” and we saw it
was very difficult to find
any grounds for such a
statement. This led to the
question as to why it was
such a widespread view,
which brings us to blind
men and elephants. The
story comes from India
and was originally about
the nature of reality.
One day a king ordered
the royal elephant to be
made ready for a journey
to the marketplace.
When he, his son and
courtiers arrived, the king
commanded three blind
men be brought, one of
whom he ordered to be
placed at the elephant’s
tusk, one at the elephant’s
leg and the other at the
elephant’s tail. When that
was done, the king asked
the blind men to describe
the elephant to him. The
man at the tusk said, “It’s
like a spear.” The man
at the leg said, “It’s like
a tree.” The man at the
tail said, “It’s like a rope.”
As the men started to
argue, the king concluded
that reality was like the
elephant and that, “we are
all blind men.”
The point that is drawn
from the story is that
all the great religions
are like the blind men
– each has a different
perception of the same
reality. The implication
is that their followers
need to recognize that
none of them has more
that one aspect of the
truth. I suspect most of
us would instinctively
identify with this view.
In a multicultural world
it recognizes that there
are different religions
and provides a way of
accommodating their
different claims about
the truth. It is assumed
to be the truth in most
discussions and is the
basis of the Religious
Education in the National
Curriculum.
However,
there is a
problem
– who
says it
is an
elephant?
The real point of the
story is exactly the
opposite of the one that
has been made. The
story is told by the king,
but how can he sees the
whole truth when he
admits, “We are all blind
men.”? It is arrogant to
claim to know that it is
an elephant if he is also
blind.
Likewise, those who use
the story to claim that
no one religion has the
whole truth are in fact
claiming they can see the
whole truth and expect,
even demand the world’s
religions recognize this.
However, the story turns
back on them when we
realise that if the king was
also blind, there would be
no story and there would
be no elephant!
3
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FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
The Role of the PCC
In the long history of the Church
of England, the Parochial Church
Council is a relatively recent
invention. Until the early years of the
20th century the administration and
finances of a parish were the legal
responsibility of the incumbent and
the churchwardens. The members
of congregations had little say in
the running of the church except in
electing the churchwardens. Parochial
Church Councils were first given legal
status in 1919. Since then a number
of Acts have defined and refined the
composition, functions and rights and
responsibilities of the PCC.
Parochial Church Councils (PCCs)
are governed by two pieces of
Church of England legislation, called
Measures. The Parochial Church
Council (Powers) Measure 1956 states
that the general function of PCC
is to work in co-operation with the
minister in promoting in the parish
the whole mission of the Church,
pastoral, evangelistic, social and
ecumenical.
Full details of the roles and
responsibility of the PCC can be
found at: www.churchofengland.org/
about-us/structure/churchlawlegis/
church-representation-rules/churchrepresentation-rules-online.aspx
The PCC is registered with the
Charities Commission and is subject
to the legal requirements of that
board. Each member of the PCC is,
therefore, also a trustee of the Parish
of Tamworth and has legal obligations
in accordance with the Charities Act
2011, specifically the ‘public benefit
requirement’, which requires that the
purpose of the PCC is beneficial and
that it benefits the public in general
(or a sufficient section of the general
public). Trustees must ‘have regard’
to the commission’s public benefit
guidance; meaning being able to show
that they:
are aware of the guidance
have taken it into account when
making a decision to which the
guidance is relevant
have a good reason for departing
from the guidance, if decided to do so.
(To find out more see: www.gov.uk/
government/collections/charitablepurposes-and-public-benefit.)
The PCC must also submit a
trustees’ annual report that helps
people understand what our charity
[Parish] does. The report tells people:
about our work
where our money comes from
how we’ve spent our money in the
past year.
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FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
Christian aid week 15th to 21st May.
For many years our parish and
several other Tamworth churches
have supported Christian aid week.
Christian aid works to bring an
end to poverty around the world
by targeting their funding directly
to local partnership organisations
who work closely with local people.
Currently they are working in 47
countries providing urgent practical
and effective assistance, giving
communities the tools and skills to
find their own solutions to poverty.
This year there will be a fund raising
coffee morning with stalls etc at St
Editha’s from 10 till 12 on Saturday
14th May. We are also hoping to
collect House to House and can
provide envelopes and badges to
members of the congregations able
to do this, whether it be 10 houses
or a whole street; it all helps. We will
also provide envelopes for donations
at services that week. Last year we
raised £4,869: can we beat that, yes
we can with your help.
Who is my neighbour? The world
wide family is our neighbour.
Becky from Birmingham office will
be coming to the 10am service at St
Edithas on 8th May to tell us how
our money helps. We also have DVD
showing local response to our aid in
their communities which can shown
to groups or individuals.
Sue Ward
Parish Christian Aid co-ordinator
60 years a Priest
This year, Revd John Hambidge
celebrates 60 years of being a priest.
To mark this momentus occasion, the
whole Parish will come together for a
celebration service at St Editha’s on
Sunday 22nd May - there will be no
morning service at any of the other
churches in the Parish on that day.
It is fitting that we will join in unity
on the feast of Trinity, when we
contemplate the mystery of the unity
of the Godhead: three persons of one
substance.
John has been a faithful servant to
all of the churches in the parish and
still takes services on a regular basis.
His particular ability to recount large
amounts of background and history
to Biblical texts is admired and
enjoyed by many; as is his broad smile
and twinkling eye.We look forward to
celebrating with him.
7
8
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
St Editha’s bookshop and Fairtrade Outlet
Books for Special Occasions
We are coming up to the time of year
when many people in the town will
be taking their First Communion or
being Confirmed. If you know any
candidates for these services this year
you might like to know that at St
Editha’s bookshop we have a special
range of books selected especially to
be given on such occasions.
Some of these books are aimed at
children, some at adults and some
would make lovely gifts for any
age. Many of these titles would be
suitable to be given as a gift for a
Christening, Dedication or Baptism
as well.
Specific to First Communion we
have the “First Communion Bible”, a
presentation edition of bible stories
suitable for a child, “Prayers and
Verses for your First Communion”,
again suitable for a child and “Prayers
for Your First Communion” – a
beautiful book suitable for any age.
Other books in the range aimed at
children are:
•
“The Ten Commandments”
– a book that looks at each
commandment and draws verses
from the whole Bible to expand on
them
•
The Life of Jesus – a book of
Bible stories taken from the gospels
•
Psalms, Prayers and Praises – a
lovely gift book of prayers, some of
which are taken from the Bible
We also have a lovely gift edition of
a “Book of Prayers”, suitable for any
age, and a series of three books – “A
Treasury of Saints”, “A Treasury of
Wisdom” and “A Treasury of Prayers”.
These are beautiful books to dip into
and would be suitable for a teenager
or adult.
Lastly we have a great book called
“Simply the Bible” – this is a guide
to the whole Bible, with a page
dedicated to each book of the Bible.
It gives an overview of what takes
place within the book with key
characters and events. It is laid out
in a modern style and would be great
for an older child, teenager or new
Christian.
Photos of some of these titles are
on our Facebook page (search for St
Editha’s bookshop and Fair Trading
Tamworth). We also stock a range
of First Communion, Confirmation,
Christening, Baptism and Dedication
cards.
Of course we also have a large range
of Bibles, children’s bibles and
storybooks, Christian biographies
and novels and books on Christian
life as well as jewellery and other
gifts. Please pop in for a browse.
Jessica Harrison
Shop Manager
9
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10
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
Occasional Offices
Please pray for those for whom services have been said
around the Parish recently:
Baptism
Issac Paul Crow
Isabel Ivy Angela Grosvenor
Ewan Robert David Rammell
Arabella Patricia Rammell
Gracie Mae Emilla Sharpe
Chester Arthur Homer
Chole Grace Orto
Weddings
Leigh Edwin Yates and
Michelle Ellen Kain
Matthew David Roe and
Stacey Jain Adams
Weddings
Bradley William Hogan and
Annabel Marie Edden
RIP
Kathleen Margaret Grice
Michael Eric Lester
Anthony Reginald Thompson
Norman Frederick Gill
Mary Jean Cowley
Florence Bishop
Valerie Anitta Cope
Olive Ester Yates
Madeline Victoria Smith (Madge)
A Prayer for Pentecost
For the Spirit of Peace
that calms our mind and stills our life,
we give you thanks.
For the Spirit of Love
that touches hearts and reaches out,
we give you thanks.
For the Spirit of Joy
that lifts our soul and gives us faith
we give you thanks.
For the Spirit of Power,
that gift of gracefor this your church,
we give you thanks.
taken from www.faithandworship.com/prayers
11
24-7 Prayer is returning to Tamworth
from 3rd - 10th July
at Holy Trinity Church
Wilnecote.
This will be the fourth year that the churches in Tamworth have organised
a 24-7 Prayer Room. This is a place that is open 24 hours a day for 7 days, to
allow anyone and everyone to spend time in focussed prayer for ourselves
and our communities.
Why?
Pray because the Lord is listening (1Pt 3:12). Pray with others because when
two of us get together and make a prayer of it, our Father in heaven goes
into action (Mt 18:19). Get His attention because whatever we could ask,
think or imagine, God is able to do more (Eph 3:20).
Whether you consider yourself an expert or a novice, watch out for more
details and prepare to sign up for just one hour (or more if you want).
‘Never stop praying...’ 1 Thessalonians 5:17
12
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
Thy Kingdom Come
The Archbishops of
Canterbury and York
have called on Christians
to create, “A great wave
of prayer across our
land, throughout the
Church of England and
many other Churches” in
the week leading up to
Pentecost (15th May)
The week (8th – 15th May) week
of prayer will culminate in ‘Beacon
Events’ around the country over
Pentecost weekend, where people
will pray for the renewal of the Holy
Spirit and the confidence to share
their faith.
The Archbishops write:
“At the heart of our prayers will be
words that Jesus himself taught us
– ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be
done.’ It is impossible to overstate the
life-transforming power of the Lord’s
Prayer. It is a prayer that is reassuring
enough to be on the lips of the dying
and yet dangerous enough
to be banned in cinemas.
It is famous enough to be
spoken each day by billions
in hundreds of languages and
yet intimate enough to draw
us ever closer into friendship
with Jesus Christ. It is simple
enough to be memorised by
small children and yet profound enough
to sustain a whole lifetime of prayer.
When we pray it with sincerity and with
joy, there is no imagining the new ways
in which God can use us to his glory.”
It would be great to see us coming
together as individuals, churches,
parishes, deanery and as Christians
across the town to pray together. In
our parish, plans are being drawn
up to create prayer events – so don’t
just keep your eyes open, but make
suggestions as to ways we might be
praying together and let us all be
praying that God’s kingdom comes
to our town and nation.
Pentecost Praise
Sunday 15th May 6.30pm
St Editha’s Church
An evening of modern praise and worship music
Parish Diary*
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
2nd May
BankHoliday
3rd
4th
9th
10th
11th
16th
17th
18th
10.15am Communion (St Ed’s)
10.15am Communion (St Ed’s)
10.15am Communion (St Ed’s)
Thy King Come
23rd
24th
25th
30th
BankHoliday
31st
1st June
14
10.15am Communion (St Ed’s)
10.15am Communion (St Ed’s)
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
Thursday
5th
9.30am Communion (St F)
12th
9.30am Communion (St F)
Friday
6th
7th
11am -3pm Spring Fair (St F)
13th
14th
7 -9pm Social
19th
9.30am Communion (St F)
Saturday
(St A’s)
20th
10am - 12pm Christian Aid
Coffee Morning (St Ed’s)
21st
Thy King Come
26th
9.30am Communion (St F)
2nd
9.30am Communion (St F)
27th
28th
1 - 3pm Ladies Craft (St F)
3rd
4th
*for Sunday services, see back page
15
Musings from Elizabeth Wilson
The Emmaus story is
one of my favourite
readings of Easter: the
two disciples walking
back home in a very
dejected state, sharing
all they had hoped for,
and their expectations;
when suddenly a
stranger draws along
side of them. Their
mood is suddenly
changed: ‘Did not our
hearts burn within us’
they said, ‘as he opened
up the scriptures to
us?’ Read the story
in Luke 24 13 - 33. It
always gives me great
hope whenever things
get tough; which brings
me to the topic of our
Lent course: ‘the Joy
of the Gospel’. Psalm
51:12 says, ‘restore unto
me the Joy of your
salvation,’ (I don’t like
the modern version
which says, make me
happy as you did when
you saved me). This is
what David pleaded for
16
after his sin of taking
another man’s wife and
covering up his sin by
killing her husband.
He didn’t lose his walk
with God, just the joy.
So it is for us. We may
feel thoroughly out
of step with God. We
have let our sins get
between us, but if we like David - repent of
whatever separates us
and turn back to him,
he will restore the joy
of our salvation. The
two disciples didn’t
lose what they had
learnt and known of
Jesus. The way had
got clouded over, as
ours do so often. We
do need to build on
our relationship with
him, as one hymn says,
‘and yet I want to
love you Lord; O light
the flame within my
heart and I will love
thee more and more,
until I see thee as
thou art.’ Or another
hymn challenges us:
‘my God I love thee
not because I hope for
heaven thereby, nor yet
because who love thee
not are lost eternally’.
If God isn’t the centre
of our life then heaven
won’t be. We need to
love God because he is
God!
I’ve just read in Open
Doors prayer diary
of a little girl, Hadija,
born into a Muslim
family. At the age of
five, she began secretly
attending services in
church. When her
father found out he
beat her, but it didn’t
stop her. Weekly, she
went to church; she
was beaten each time
and food denied her.
She was beaten so
badly she still has the
scars. A Christian lady
took her in. The father
threatened to kill them
both and burn down
the church. Hadija said
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
she just wants to tell
other young people
about Jesus. She, like
the two on the way
to Emmaus, had this
flame lit in her heart
to love God more and
more. They had shared
with Jesus what was
on their hearts, and
Bingo! They lost all
the weariness, rushing
back to Jerusalem to
be with and share their
joy with the other
despondent disciples.
This is what meeting
and sharing the Risen
Lord should do for
us; give us vision,
enthusiasm and power.
Take every opportunity
to share in prayer,
worship, courses,
whatever it takes.
We have a Gospel to
share and proclaim.
When I was in London
I went to a church
where the minister
told us he had tried
out all kinds of things
including gimmicks to
bring people in, all to
no avail. Yet, two of
us who were students
had asked if we could
do some visiting. We
visited a whole big
block of flats and took
lots of requests back
for a visit from the
minister or deaconess.
As far as we could
gather, nothing had
been followed up.
People do have deep
needs; gimmicks won’t
answer those needs.
Col 4: 7 says, ‘never
give up praying, keep
alert and be thankful
- pray that God will
make a way for us to
spread the Gospel,
his message of love.’
How much I feel Peter
needed that message.
He could hardly live
with himself after
denying the Lord he
swore he was prepared
to die for. How often
I feel like this, yet
when called to speak
out courage fails. Jesus
knew Peter through
and through; hadn’t
he told him, ‘before
the cock crows three
times...’ I think of this
as his promise to Peter:
you will do all this but
I love you and won’t let
you go. It is a promise
to us too. We may lose
the joy of our salvation
but once we’ve given
our life to him he won’t
let us go.
Be still for the power
of God is moving in
our church and town.
He comes to cleanse
and heal, to minister
his grace. No work too
hard for Him; in faith
receive from Him. Be
still for the power of
the Lord is moving in
this place. Alleluia,
Alleluia.
17
St Andrew’s, Kettlebrook
Sometimes in our life, we feel fear
and we are sometimes afraid to show
it. I was reading a book about a lady
being scared when she wanted to go
to up the mountain in Austria where
the sound of music was filmed.
“Oh I must go up and see what it is
really like,” she thought. “I looked
like an ant compared to the size of
the mountain.”
Another lady was also scared of
heights; she asked the tour guide
how long
does it take
to walk up?
‘Two hours,”
was the reply.
They decided
not to walk
up to but ride
up in a cable
car.
The two
ladies became friends and were
talking about their jobs and realised
they had a lot in common. They
both had a faith: Theresa’s faith
was very strong; Nora’s faith had
been strong but she had had a few
knock backs and her faith was not as
strong.
The hour came to go to the cable
car and go up the mountain. Both
ladies who were not too good
with heights, chatting away; they
18
realised that the town below, and
the houses, were so tiny. They saw
a lake and snow capped mountains:
breath-taking! They both had a tear
in the eye, moved by the beauty
you do not see until you go up the
mountain. Theresa was singing a
hymn in her head: ‘Nearer my God
to thee, nearer to thee.’ She was
overwhelmed with emotion. Nora
held her hand and in her mind she
was saying, “I raise my eyes up to the
hills; where comes
my strength in
times of need?”
(Neither knew
the thoughts of
the other). They
reached the top
and it was breath
taking. There was
a path they could
walk a long to
take pictures and they each prayed
on their own, enjoying every minute.
The tour operator announced it
was time to go back. Nora asked
when they would be returning to the
hotel. “When we get back down the
mountain,” she was told.
“I will make my own way back. I am
walking down,” she said.
The tour operator reminded her it
was a two hour walk and that she
would be alone, as no-one else in the
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
group wanted to walk with her.
“I won’t be alone,” said Nora.
Theresa knew what she meant by
that.
They met up the next day and
exchanged what they had felt and
smiled when they told each other
what they had been saying silently,.
“You are never alone. Even when
I walked down that mountain by
myself, I was not alone. The Good
Lord was with me.” said Nora. “I had
one of the best night’s sleep I have
ever had.”
Theresa also had an inner peace, like
a dove over head lifting all the
strains and stresses that had been
taking over her life.
So remember when we sit alone in
Holy Communion Server
15th. 9am Isabel.
22nd 6.30pm Isabel.
Birthdays in April
5th Sue Williams
Songs of Praise Hostess
Laurina & Jenny
body, we are not alone in thought.
sit quiet and listen for God wants to
talk to us.
Blessings
Viv.
Altar Flowers
1st Rita
8th.Chris
15th June.F.
22nd Janet
29th Viv.
May 13th Social. 7pm-9pm.
19
20
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
St Chad’s, Hopwas
It was not an easy decision to ‘up
sticks’ and move away from all our
friends at St Chad’s, not forgetting
our children and grandchildren who
live locally. In many respects it could
be seen as selfish on our part, but we
thought if we didn’t ‘give it a try’ we
might not have another opportunity.
We have spent many glorious
weekends walking the Tissington Trail
and Manifold Valley, pushing Leigh in
her wheelchair and enjoying the many
and various pubs!! Some years ago we
made the decision to try to move to
the Ashbourne area when we retired.
We first came to St Chad’s some 11
years ago. Kate was getting married
there, so we came to be nosey and to
check out the natives! As we drove
up the drive we were not expecting
what confronted us. The wonderful
view of the Church overlooking
Tamworth, the beautifully kept
Churchyard (well done Roger) and the
peaceful atmosphere that surrounded
the Church have never ceased to
be a joy. As we entered the Church
pushing Leigh in her wheelchair we
were greeted by a wonderful welcome.
Over the years we couldn’t always
come together because of Leigh’s
health, often alternating our visits,
but always receiving the same warm
welcome. When Leigh did come she
loved the Peace, everybody came to
her, shaking her hand and saying a
few words of love. We have happy
memories of Kate & Kevin’s wedding
day in 2006 and the Baptisms of four
of our five grandchildren.
In the last few years I had the
privilege to be a Churchwarden,
which although demanding at times,
I enjoyed serving the Church and its
‘family’. We have both enjoyed the
warmth and fellowship of all our many
friends over the years and I know we
will miss you all. We will continue
to be part of the congregation at St.
Chad’s, as we were at Christmas, not
least because Leigh is now at peace
in the Churchyard, but inevitably
less frequently. We can’t, however,
envisage missing the Barbecue in July
or the occasional ‘Snack & Chat’ with
our Methodist friends also.
As we embark on a new chapter in
our lives, which hasn’t been without
incident, we are hoping to do much
more walking and enjoying the
glorious countryside and places of
interest. We have received a warm
welcome from the congregation at St
Oswald’s, the parish Church here in
Ashbourne.
We both send our best wishes to you
all and if you are ever in Ashbourne,
please look us up, but not all at the
same time!!!
God Bless,
Richard & DianeWarburton
21
22
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
St Francis’, Leyfields and Coton Green
A Reader Review process was
launched in Lichfield Diocese in
2013, whereby every Incumbent with
a Reader was asked to carry out a
review of their ministry with them;
this scheme has been extended to all
Local Lay Ministers (LLMs) and so
includes Pastoral, Prayer, Pioneer and
every other sort of ministry for which
training and licensing is available in
the Diocese.
The Review consists of getting
feedback from others as well as a
conversation with the Incumbent.
Together the Incumbent and Lay
Minister then agree a role descriptor
detailing the expectations on both
sides, including the number of hours
the Lay Minster will offer and the
particular way in which their ministry
will be expressed (what they will do
in the life of the church).
Part of the purpose of the review is
to focus on the distinctive ministry
which Lay Ministers offer. The
review encourages each minister to
explore what ministry means for
them in the coming months and
years.
Having just gone through this
process, I have been reflecting on
my own understanding of ministry.
Although it is useful to have a role
descriptor outlining specific tasks,
I find that ministry is not about
what we do, but who we are. Every
member of the Body of Christ has
a ministry, because each one of us is
called to carry on the work of Jesus:
to be his hands, his feet, his voice
in a world of pain, darkness and
confusion. At Baptism, we promise
to follow Jesus and trust him as Lord.
In fulfilling these promises, we live
differently from the world around
us, in order to show how Jesus is
diffferent. By watching how we live,
others come to know something
about the God we follow and might
be encouraged to find out more about
him for themselves.
As Christians, we are called to serve
each other, to put the needs of others
before our own, to offer up our needs
of those of others in prayer to a God
who is able to do immeasurably more
than we can hope or imagine. This is
ministry - and we are all called to do
it, every day, in whatever way we can.
Sometimes, it will be inconvenient;
occassionally, it will be costly. At
those times, it is the knowledge that
God gave Jesus that keeps us going
and keeps us giving. After all:
‘God did not spare his own Son. He
gave him up for us all. Then won’t he
also freely give us everything else?’
(Rom 8:32) including the strength and
will to carry on!
Wendy Van Den Bergh
23
24
FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
25
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wedding bouquets a speciality
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Just through the church yard
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daily deliveries of floral tributes
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26
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tel:01827 55816
135 Amington Road, Bolehall
All major credit cards accepted
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General Stores, groceries,
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FOUR BUILDINGS, ONE PARISH, ONE CHURCH
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[email protected]
deadlines:
1 Philip and James, Apostles
14 Matthias the Apostle
31 The Visit of the Blessed Virgin
Mary to Elizabeth
18th May for electronic copy
to e-mail address above
16th April for hard copy to
church office
27
22nd
15th
8th
1st
date
St Chad’s
St Francis
No service
6pm Taizé Communion
6.00pm Evensong
10.30am Family Communion 10.30am Holy Communion
6pm Songs of Praise
8.30am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
6.30pm Evensong
6.00pm Holy Communion
6.30pm Evensong
No service
10.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Morning Worship
8.30am BCP Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
8.30am Holy Communion
10am Parish Celebration*
3.30pm Baptism
6.30pm Evensong
6pm Taizé Communion
6.30pm Evensong
8.30am Holy Communion
10.00am Morning Worship
3.30pm Baptism
6.30pm Holy Communion
9am Holy Communion
10.30am Family Communion 10.30am All Age & Baptism
12.30pm Baptism
6pm Songs of Praise
9.00am BCP Communion
10.30am Family Communion 10.30am Holy Communion
May
*John Hambidge’s 60th Anniversary of Priesting
29th
in
8.30am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
St Editha’s
Sunday Services
Pentecost
Trinity
28
6.30pm Evensong
11am All Age Worship
6.30pm Holy Communion
No service
6.30pm Songs of Praise
9.00am Holy Commmunion
11am All Age Worship
6.30pm Evensong
11am All Age Worship
6.30pm Evensong
11am All Age Worship
St Andrew’s