Looking forward to the months ahead

As we started out in 2012, one of our Church wardens, Anne Adams, took a look at the journey we will be making together as a church over the next few months as we seek a new vicar, and what the vacancy period will look like in practice.  You can keep up to date with where we are in the process on our Vacancy page.

Anne's talk will be here in a day or so.

Before Anne spoke, we had short message from Bishop Alan (Bishop of St Albans) on DVD that was played across the whole diocese. Starting with today’s theme in the church calendar which is the ‘Baptism of Christ' he spoke  about how our baptism can translate into mission activity in the world around us You can hear or read his messaage here on the St Albans Diocese website.

The main focus of the Bishops message was that our baptism is about learning to trust God in a radical way.  In uncertain and even chaotic situations. Where we feel insecure and vulnerable. In situations like these God is calling us to venture in faith, to live out our baptism and to live Gods love.

What Anne had to say linked straight in. She said that the period of the Vacancy is like a stretch of water in front of us now - we stand at one side and in a few months we will be at the other.  We cannot be sure of time of arrival on the other side, and we certainly don't know what it will all look like!   But we can trust.

Some of us looking back at Nick's ministry here.  Some are clearly looking forward to what's ahead. We are currently in a place of loss - there is sadness and there is gratitude.  We need to recognise that, see its OK, and yet not remain there but process it. We will move at different speeds. We need to be sensitive to one another.

She outlined the process ahead:

• We are currently putting together the Parish Profile -  it describes church, and the nature of ministry here.  We look at where we are going, and sort of person we are looking for. (When its finished it will go on the website and you'll be able to look at it.)
• The PCC met last week with the Bishop of Bedford, the Archdeacon, and our Patrons. They will help us walk through this season, and bring a lot of wisdom to it.  They looked  at the draft profile and listened to us about what we felt about the needs for ministry here. 
• The advert will be placed in February.  It is essentially a call to someone to come and be our vicar.   We will then go through short listing and interview.  The PCC have asked Dick Orrin and Anne to represent them in that process alongside the Bishop and others.  If no one suitable applies, we go through process of advertising again - but that’s OK because we want the right person

Anne said how she felt there was safety and security in the process.

What will help us in vacancy?

• It’s a time for growth, for listening to God, for going deeper in our faith and in God. A we look to Jesus. God will be at work shaping us, we will grow in faith, and we can hear from God.
• We need Each other. Our fellowship and life together is important. Cell groups important. Spending time over coffee after service. We will be eating more together.
• We need to support one another. That includes being prepared to get involved some more in  Volunteering.  Some of our various committees need people - Finance, Buildings, Missions.  There are needs to help in the office during day.
• Thanksgiving.   We can be very grateful to God and one another. When things are not quite done as before.
• Prayer - individually, cells, meetings on Tuesdays. Anne introduced the  vacancy prayer.

She concluded with introducing a song. "Yesterday, Today and Forever"   Our situation may have changed, but God is the same!

Tied in with this, the theme of "Journeying Together" will be the focus of our Network Group meetings over the next few weeks. You can find the notes here.