Dear Friends From the Vicarage Having just returned from my holiday in Wales – where we experienced a heat wave, torrential rain, and cold days that needed the heating on!, yesterday – Sunday 20th July – saw me back in action with normal services and a special Deanery Choral Evensong in Rostherne Church. What a lovely occasion that was, and it was amazing to see so many people venture out – despite rain coming down like ‘stair rods’ for most of the afternoon. However, my being away meant that several services had to be cancelled as our amazing Wardens could not find any cover to stand in for me. Sadly, this issue is growing as more clergy retire, and fewer people are coming forward to train as clergy. What does this mean? This might mean more lay led services in the future – if I look back at what the church used to do prior to the 1970’s the main Sunday morning service was nearly always Matins. This service, to remind you, is really Morning Prayer, not a Eucharist. The movement towards having a Eucharist each Sunday started in the 1970’s and worked really well, but sadly with decreasing clergy this is something that might not be possible in the future. I am entitled to 6 Sundays off per year, and so far I have only taken off 2 Sun days since I arrived in November. This is because I know how difficult it is to get cover arranged for services, and the extra expense that this also involves our local churches, but I also need to have time off for my own refreshment, and to be with my family. So……. Have any of you ever thought that you could lead a service? That you could do a much better job than the priest? If so, then now is your chance. The Diocese have recognised what is happening and so have set up an Occasional Worship Leaders Course (OWL) This is a 4 week course and the next two courses are: St Peter's Community Hall, Middlewich Road, Crewe CW1 4RD Tuesdays: 17 and 24 June, and 1 and 8 July 20257.15pm to 9pm St Paul's Church, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge SK15 2PT Wednesdays: 17 September, 1, 8 and 15 October 20257.15pm to 9pm If you are interested, then please do let me know as you do need a form signed by me to go forward. I would also really like to hear your thoughts on the current pattern of worship – this is, if you remember, an experiment at the moment to allow me to take as many services as possible each Sunday and to ensure that you all get the most Sunday services that we can manage, but I know that the current pattern is not perfect. So, if you have an idea as to how this might be improved, then please do have a word, or write up a service plan and let me have a copy. All ideas will be VERY gratefully received. May I wish you all God’s blessing over the Summer, and if you are going away on holiday, then I pray that your holiday will be blessed, and that you will come back feeling relaxed and refreshed. Robert