We have continued to run strong and challenging services after Easter. This is the time when the Apostles, Christ’s disciples, were becoming aware that his crucifixion was not the end, and his resurrection was instead the beginning of their responsibility to lead his church’s ministry – a responsibility that leads all the way through two millennia to our church today. Our services have been well-attended, and we are in good spirits: thank you to all who have been involved.

We knew before Easter that there had been no applications to be the new priest for our benefice. In this past month we have started planning how to re-advertise. We are adjusting the “benefice profile” – the job specification – to tone down the emphasis on pioneer ministry into the new Ashchurch housing, mainly because we now know that the vast North Ashchurch development is unlikely to be occupied until the 2030’s. We don’t know if this shift will be sufficient to make the post attractive. Meanwhile, the months are going by, and it is now becoming probable that we will not have anyone in place before the end of this year.

As previously publicised, Kemerton will be running an Open Gardens event on 29 June, fund raising for the Victoria Hall. Many of us will be involved individually, and our church will be available to the organisers if wanted. For our own funds, plans are advancing well for a musical variety show in the church on Saturday 24 August, featuring a number of locally-known musicians. For further details, or to offer help, please contact Victoria Trevelyan.

If you would like to know more about any of these stories, please do contact us on [email protected].