Rector’s
APM Report - 2016
This
is my third annual report and I would like to begin by expressing my
appreciation and gratitude to the many people who contribute to the life of
this Benefice. I would name them but that would make this a very lengthy
report! I would like to take this opportunity to say a big "Thank
you"!
The
Sunday service rota has settled into its current sustainable pattern. The trial
of choral evensong at Houghton continues and has been well supported by choir
and congregation. we have had an increase in baptisms in the Benefice and our
attendance figures show a slight increase. We struggled to maintain the cafe
church service. It proved too much for the resources available. Benefice
services, Harvest and Carol services have been well attended.
This
year our churches, led by St James who initiated this last year, have engaged
with a shoe box Christmas parcels project, putting together over 160 parcels and
sending them to countries where people live in very poor circumstances.
Our three coffee shops make an important
contribution to community life.
The
annual Valley Walk became a pilgrimage with over thirty people from St Mary and
St Alban Church in Teddington coming to take part. The weather was kind to us
and many people helped to make it a good experience. There was a great sense of
fellowship and hospitality. Again, I would thank those who give their time to
organise and provide food for this event.
There is now a monthly communion service in
Chescombe Court, led by Rev'd Sue Litchfield and supported by a good team. Sue
also co-ordinates the monthly Women Alive group which is following the Lyfe
course.
I continue to be involved in the Dunbury
Academy for regular assemblies. I have handed over the shared post of
ex-officio governor to the Red Post Benefice as I have completed my term of
office. We have Pippa Rossiter continue the lunch club with church members.
This term the children will be constructing a reflective zone and prayer
stations in St Mary's, Whitechurch. The school hosted Knitivity as part of the
Posada event that took place throughout the Benefice for the first time. The
cubs and scouts also acted as hosts and we will continue to build on these
links.
We have run two courses this year, firstly, the
Diocese worship leaders' course, which has resulted in the Bishop of Sherborne
coming to the benefice to commission them. This is an exciting development in
the life of our benefice. The second course is "Making Disciples",
through small groups during Lent. A large number of people have participated in
this. It raises the question, "Are we volunteers or disciples"? The
answer to that is that volunteers do what they want to do, whilst disciples
will try to do what God wants them to do. We shouldn't be too disheartened if
that is a struggle, the first disciples with Jesus also struggled. A small
group attended a Messy Church training day to explore possibilities.
Of the two home groups that were running, one
has closed as people moved away, whilst the other continues in strength,
following the Bible Society's "Lyfe Course." I hope that some of the
Lent Groups will continue after Easter as home groups.
Once
again there has been a significant change in staff, in that our Licensed Lay
Minister has moved away. Churchwardens have also moved away. This leaves quite
a gap in our skills and knowledge. it is good that people do feel able to fill
those gaps. I am very grateful that people are willing to step forward and take
on rolls which they perhaps never imagined they would. I am very grateful to
the churchwardens, past and present, for all that they do to serve our churches
and for the time that they give. Churchwardens are often the first point of
contact in the parishes and this role is as much about mission as it is about
the building. Church treasurers and
secretaries have roles that are largely unseen but are essential to the
wellbeing of our churches. We are blessed by the presence and commitment of Rev'ds Jimmy and Sue who so readily share
their gifts and experience with us. I, personally, appreciate their encouragement
and wisdom.
The
Old School Room which belongs to St Mary's in Whitechurch is now a viable asset
and is proving extremely useful. Lighting and electrical work, along with
maintenance to roofing and rainwater goods is under way. St James at Milton Abbas
has had problems with rainwater ingress. St Andrew's, Houghton, with support
from the village, has worked hard to improve the appearance of churchyard. St
Mary's in Turnworth is in good order. Plans to reorder St Nicholas' in Clenston
are awaiting approval. St Mary's in Stickland has been redecorated internally.
All this takes considerable effort, and it is a credit to the hardworking
people that our buildings are being improved.
In
February 2014 we had a benefice day where we engaged with Robert Warren's
process of developing a healthy church. The benefice mission statement of
"making Christ visible" provides us with vision and mission
priorities. Sometimes we have to accept that the maintenance and upkeep of our
buildings means that at times we have to become less missional and more
maintenance minded. Robert Warren's process identified that as a benefice we
should concentrate on: "knowing what God wants". We have been engaging
with this, this year through preaching and teaching and through the exploring
of vocation - lay worship leaders and making disciples are examples of this. We
are continuing to use the results from this to focus future development.
As
Rector, I give thanks to God for allowing me the privilege of living in this
Benefice and thank all of you for your ongoing support and encouragement.
Please pray for the continued work of our Benefice as we look forward to all
that God has in store for us in this coming year.
Alan
