Parish News

An update (01/08/2018)

After what seems like interminable delays, suddenly things are happening.  The faculty has been approved for our state of the art projector and screen installation and an advertisement is about to go out for a priest-in-charge.

As we advertise, shortlist and interview we will need a lot of prayer and support.  The whole process needs to be carefully thought through; to be thorough, imaginative and sensitive.  Our future priest-in-charge will no doubt be visiting and researching the benefice of Crich and South Wingfield with God speaking to him or her and guiding, encouraging, reassuring.

Meanwhile, with Anette’s faithful help our communions, weddings and baptisms continue and have been extremely valued.  Safeguarding procedures have been high on the PCC agenda and are being carefully implemented with lots of hard work by Claire and Deirdre.  Di has been exhaustive, and exhausted, as acting chair of the PCC, fulfilling many of the administrative roles normally done by the vicar.  Then there are all those who have led services, children’s work, band, choir and so on.  I haven’t mentioned the routine jobs, the often unnoticed ones: catering, getting the church ready for services, clearing up afterwards, being available for visitors to the church, decorating, flowers, maintenance.

We have expanded the work with the schools and their presence in the church for a week in July was wonderful.  40 Americans of the Clay dynasty visited to inspect their ancestor’s tomb and you should read their effusive comments in the visitors’ book.

But there’s quite a bit that we would love to get on with, notably welcoming the newcomers who are moving into the new housing developments.  But until something more formal is implemented let’s make sure we look out for new people, welcome them and help them integrate into our community.

Martyn Offord.