What do ‘titles and labels’ mean?
What is our perception of leadership and ministry within the life of the church? How we do see our place in the community of faith?

I was challenged by the process of selecting a successor for Robert.
Who are the ‘ministry team’? … those who wear clerical collars? Surely not so in this benefice.

We have an amazing team of Jesus’ disciples who step up to serve, to minister, with the skills, knowledge and time that they have. Some were commissioned by Robert as lay leaders, others as Anna friends and since then we have added our musical directors and Josie to represent the choir. And that’s just the ones who are more upfront.
As we approach the end of a year since we knew Robert was being called elsewhere, at the September Benefice service, I will lead a focus of thanks for the ways God has blessed us, the ways God has provided in, through and with us.
Please come with some symbol of your involvement in our shared commitment as an offering – be that the marigolds that are used for washing up after our many catering events, a Bible for being a reader, gardening tools for your care of the graveyards, flowers as a sign of your creativity in decorating for our worship, a hymn book as a sides person, a taper as a sacristan – the list is endless because you are too. Everyone is playing their part to share God’s Kingdom reality on earth.
More importantly, I would like us all to reflect on how we have encountered the very life of God’s Holy Spirit through the ups and downs of this year. Review and reflection are both healthy ways to manage and healthy ways to connect with the now of our situations.
The interview process highlighted, for me, the ways that Heather and I draw on different experiences as we seek to fulfil our vocations.
I was reminded of a vision, a concept, that was laid on my heart when I was first a curate. We called it the Anna and Simeon prayer network where those who could no longer be active in outreach to the ‘next generation’ gave prayer time to support, equip and enable others who were in position to mix and mingle with children and young people. I produced a pattern of suggestions and requests for prayer that reflected different aspects of activities and groups for children and young people. The generation ‘gap’ was bridged. And it was reciprocal as younger people were able to explore the interests and needs of the more senior members of our community.
I have since discovered that the Guild of Anna and Simeon has been established to ensure the more housebound members of the church are able to participate in the life of the church by prayer. This is their Guild Prayer

God our Loving Father, thank you for calling us to this ministry of prayer for your people, following the example of Simeon and Anna. As members of the body of Christ, here in the ‘United benefice of Shiplake and Dunsden with Harpsden cum Bolney’ may we so shine with Christ’s light, through our words and actions, that others may be drawn to follow Jesus and our churches be transformed into a community of peace and love; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I suggest we do not need to be housebound or of any particular age to offer this prayer.

As I write there is no decision about Robert’s successor but our lives as disciples do not depend on that decision. Our prayers depend on obedience to our Lord and, surely, the Anna and Simeon Guild prayer says it all for all of us.

May we be blessed and a blessing as we each serve Our Father and his children.

Pam <><