Parish Profile available here.

 

The Vacancy at St Mary's.

Following the retirement of Canon Nick Bell as our Vicar in December 2011, St Mary's is now in Vacancy.

During the next few months we will be in a time of transition, seeking together as a church, PCC and leadership what it is that God has for us next. We have now completed the Parish Profile, which is a description fo the church, parish  and town. The process of compiling that  document has been helping to guide us in what we are looking for in our new leader. We are not alone in this journey, but have been working with the Patrons of the church, along with the Bishop of Bedford, the Archdeacon of Bedford, and our Area Dean who have a lot of experience in guiding a church through this process.

We will be keeping you updated on the process here, and would ask you most of all to pray for us.  We hope the following prayer will help you:

Heavenly Father,
you call us to follow you in faith,
with confidence that you are always with us.
During this time of vacancy
fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit
that our love for You and each other will increase,
and prepare us for a new chapter
in our ministry together in Christ’s name.
Give wisdom to those involved in choosing our new minister,
and may your Name be always honoured in the future life of this church.
This we pray, in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen

 

We will also meet together for prayer on the 1st Tuesday every month at 7 – 8am in church; and on Tuesday 24th January, and after that on 4th Tuesday every month, at 8 – 9pm in the church lounge, all are welcome. Please, of course, be praying at other times individually or in cell groups.

 

Updates:

January 8th 2012.  Looking forward to the months ahead.   Anne Adams, one of the church wardens explained the process of  appointment of a new vicar.

February 5th 2012.  Our parish profile is now complete and agreed by the PCC Standing Committee, and we will be posting it on the Profile Page in a few days once the advertisment is complete.  Please return here to link to it.  Its obvously designed to allow people considerig appying for the job to be our vicar, but we are told that all members of the church will learn something from it!

February 16th 2012.   The vacancy is now being advertised in the Church Times and website, the diocese website, the Clergy Appointments Advsors page, the New Wine website - and its even being tweeted!  The Advert and the Profile are here.  The applications close on 5th March, and interviews will be held on 19-20 March.

Prayer for the vacancy is important. We are meeting together for prayer on the 1st Tuesday every month at 7 – 8am in church and the 4th Tuesday every month at 8 – 9pm in the church lounge, all are welcome. Please, of course, be praying at other times individually or in cell groups.  Additionally in this key time, Catherine Moss will be leading prayer for  for about 30 mins after Sunday morning services for 4 weeks, starting on Sunday 26th Feb and taking us through to the Sunday before the interview.