Vicar’s Report St Paul’s ADCM
Sunday 25 February 2007
I
want to start by saying that I regard it a privilege to be vicar of
As
I say every year, there are too many to mention by name, although many of the
names appear in our
As
you reflect on the past year, I wonder what stands out for you?
For me I think it would definitely include the following seven events, although
by no means is limited to them:
40 Days of Purpose – which we were just
beginning this time last year, which helped pull us together as a church as
well as motivating many to move on in their Christian life.
Dinner with Ann Widdecombe – an extremely
enjoyable and informative evening, and a very
impressive effort from those who provided our dinner. I’m sorry that our
attempt to pin Sir Cliff down has not thus far borne fruit!
Time Spys Space
Service of Prayer for Healing – which we, as a DCC,
believed God was leading us into and which many many people expressed thanks
for.
Christianity Explored for Men – which drew a regular
group of eight men (plus two leaders) all for the sole purpose of exploring why
Christian faith is relevant and what response God asks of us.
Christmas – which
seemed so good this year. The services came together well, not least the
marvellous ‘It’s a Baby’. Many people came through the doors and expressed
their gratitude.
Christmas Dinner – of course we were
grateful for the food, which was excellent. But grateful too that so many
people wanted to be there, and for the good humour there seemed to be around.
Of
course there is much more besides, but these are seven of the events in the
past year which easily come to mind as occasions to give thanks for.
So
as we look ahead, what are those occasions or happenings that we should be
particularly aware of? Again, too many to mention, and often it is the ongoing
regular stuff which is as important as anything. But for your awareness and
prayer, perhaps I might mention the following seven (whittled down from an
initial list of fourteen!).
Children and Youth worker: Although primarily a
parish initiative,
Social and Fund Raising: You’ll be aware, I hope, that the Social and Fund Raising Committee are
changing the way they operate. First, the name is changing from Social and Fund Raising to just Social to reflect
where the group sees the focus of its work. Second, a lead person will be
appointed for each event, and that person will recruit their own team. If, once
in a while, you are therefore asked if you would peal a hundred carrots, please
say yes. It’s only by involving more of us in events that we all potentially
benefit from, that we will see this area of our church’s ministry flourish.
Prayer Ministry: You’ll have noticed that
since late last year there have been two people making themselves
available for prayer both before and after the morning service. There may be
ways we can develop this ministry to make it more effective. But let’s not be
hesitant to take advantage of it. And let’s prepare too for another Prayer for Healing Service taking place
on Sunday 22 April.
Service of Confirmation: This takes place every
year in the parish, and every other year it is here at
Pastoral Assistants: How many of you know
that for the past eighteen months Nina and Ruth have been faithfully heading
off to Pratts Bottom every other Monday for their
training as Pastoral Assistants, as well as doing a fair bit of work in
between? This has required a great deal of commitment, for which we thank them.
We look forward to their licensing as Pastoral Assistants in this parish, with
a particular brief for this church.
All Saints,
A new welcome booklet: Your DCC went away for
a day of prayer and reflection last November. One of those things we thought it
might be helpful to work on are what some might call Core Values. In other words, the values that are especially important to us as a church. So we worked
on these and agreed them at our meeting last Tuesday. They are now written up
in this little booklet, Thinking about
Belonging, Want to know More?,
although nowhere do we mention the phrase Core
Values. We’ve printed extra copies so that there is a copy for you if you
would like one!
Like
I say, there are many more areas that it would have been good to highlight, but
perhaps that will do for now. Overall, I’d simply like to encourage you to
continue being mission-minded, to continue looking outwards and remember that
God calls us not simply to care for one another, but to impact his world with
the Christian gospel.
Meanwhile,
please keep prayer central to your lives, however and wherever it is you pray.
Please take advantage of the Prayer Focus
on the notice sheet each week to help you pray for the life of this church. And
why not join us – only if occasionally – at our 6.30pm Prayer Together three Sundays out of four!? Or join the little team
who meet on a Monday and walk the neighbourhood, praying for it.
I’m
often conscious that time is short. Our lives are relatively short, and one
day Jesus will return. We therefore need to make the most of opportunities
while we can, so that when that day comes and Jesus asks us to give an account
of our lives, he will be able to turn round to us and say ‘my good and faithful
servant!’
A copy of this report can be downloaded by clicking on the following
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