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My
article this month covers both the past, the present and the future. The
past, in the sense that I announced my retirement at the beginning of
December, and also that the Vision presentation was on the 21st
January. The present, because there are three groups working at the moment
on the topics I outline below. The future, because we are looking towards
Lent and the events for the rest of the year.
Vision Sunday Presentation
Grenville Williams and
I outlined the steps the PCC and the standing committee are taking on behalf
of the parish with regard to the forthcoming interregnum and the appointment
of a new Incumbent. It was recognised that there were three processes which
had to be addressed. Firstly, issues around special occasions and saying
good bye to each other. Secondly, the process of preparing for the
interregnum, and putting arrangements in place for the interregnum.
Thirdly, preparing a parish profile and a person profile for a new
Incumbent. Three working parties have been formed to concentrate on these
three areas. They will be chaired by Ian Aldridge, Anne Carroll, and
Grenville Williams. Ian will chair the first, Anne the second and Grenville
the third group. They will welcome any representations or offers of help
from any member of the parish.
Sunday
evenings in Lent
It has been the custom
during Lent to hold ecumenical house groups with other churches in Merton
Park group of churches. Merton Park churches together have decided this
year not to have such groups. This gives St Mary’s a unique opportunity for
us to reflect together on all the issues I have mentioned above. I am
suggesting that we use 4 Sunday evenings in Lent where will have Evensong
followed by a presentation by myself and others on various aspects of
ministry in order that we shall be better equipped to face the future.
There will be dialogue and opportunities for questions and answers and for
people to offer themselves to help with ministry matters during the
interregnum. I set out below the pattern and subjects for these Sunday
evenings. Please put them in your diary so that we can share Lent together.
25 Feb Lent 1
Presentation on Pastoral
4th
March Lent 2 Presentation on Worship
11th
March Lent 3 Presentation on Teaching
18th
March Lent 4 Presentation on
Mission and Outreach
All Age Worship and Baptism
As indicated previously
it has been decided to change our patterns of worship on the first Sunday of
every month. Until this month there has been an additional service of
Baptism at 11.30am. This will no longer occur. Instead Baptism will be
incorporated into an ‘All Age Eucharist’ at 10.00am. Sunday Club children
will also attend this service. The aim is to keep this service as short as
possible so there will be changes from our normal 9-30 patterns of worship.
Those of you who attended the joyful Christmas Day ‘All Age Eucharist’ will
have some experience of what we are trying to achieve with these changes.
Confirmation
I am prepared to
prepare a last group of confirmation candidates before I leave. It is hoped
that we will present them at The Cathedral for Confirmation by the Bishop of
Southwark on Holy Saturday 7th April. Please give your names to
me please as soon as possible.
Your priest and friend
Tom Leary
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