Add your story or photograph

Do you want to share a photograph or story about something that is happening here in the Benefice? Just email it to:- mawvoffice@btinternet.com

Monday 21 March 2016

The Rector's report for the Benefice 2015/16


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

No comments:

Post a Comment