May 2026We are pleased to be able to report that the advertisement for our new Vicar has now been published in The Church Times (both in hard copy and online) and on The Church of England's "Pathways". Graham Olway, Anna-Marie Malcolm and Kate Mew, our Parish Representatives, are representing our two congregations in the selection process. Again, please note that Graham, Anna-Marie and Kate will be limited in what they can discuss with us because much of the recruitment process must remain confidential. This month we also had our APCM. This is an important moment in the year of our Parish as we meet together to reflect on the year that has been and lay the groundwork for the next. We heard reports about the many areas of church life, and conveyed our thanks to the people that make it all happen. At the meeting, we were re-elected as churchwardens for the next year. Please do continue to keep Revd Coleen, our Parish Representatives and the PCC in your prayers. Stephen Anderson & Adam Harvey 7th May 2026
April 2026Last month, the PCC met with our Archdeacon and one of the Simeon’s Trustees and then held a ‘Section 11 Meeting’ (so called because it is held pursuant to Section 11 of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986, in case you were wondering). The Section 11 Meeting formally initiates the recruitment and appointment process for our new Vicar, and some important decisions were taken at that meeting:Graham Olway, Anna-Marie Malcolm and Kate Mew were appointed as our Parish Representatives. We are very grateful for their volunteering to represent us. Please note that Graham, Anna Marie and Kate will be limited in what they can discuss with us because much of the recruitment process must remain confidential.The latest (and hopefully almost final) draft of the Parish Profile was approved by the PCC.The PCC approved the budget needed to advertise the position in The Church Times. Please do keep Revd Coleen, our Parish Representatives and the PCC in your prayers.
March 2026You will recall that last month the PCC provided input to the draft Parish Profile and met with the Archdeacon on 25th February to discuss the process for recruiting our new Vicar. The meeting with the Archdeacon was very productive and we now have a more detailed understanding of the path for selecting our new Vicar and how we will work with the Diocesan Office and the Simeon’s Trustees in relation thereto. The content to be provided by the PCC for the Parish Profile is now being finalised so that it can be sent to the Diocesan Office, formatted and collated with the sections to be provided by the Archdeacon and Bishop Jonathan.In parallel, the plans for this year’s church services have been completed for the following few months and various people are stepping into new roles (such as our new Hall Management Committee). We are grateful to those people who have stepped forward to help, and to Andy, Jacqui, Coleen, Denise and the PCC for their support during the handover period. Please do keep Revd Coleen and the PCC in your prayers.
Message from the Parish Wardens - February 2026In January we provided an update to parishioners about the process to find our new Vicar, including information about our Parish Profile and Mission Action Plan. We have identified four key areas of focus:our children, youth and families’ ministry;showing the love of God locally;pastoral support and “bearing each other’s burdens”; andproviding engaging worship and discipleship opportunities.We are now providing a further update as to the activity for this month.Our PCC are currently reviewing the draft Parish Profile.The Parish Profile and Mission Action Plan principles set out above was discussed by the PCC on 11th February.On 22nd February, our Archdeacon will visit both churches.On 25th February, the PCC will meet with the Archdeacon to discuss the recruitment process.We anticipate sharing copies of the Parish Profile and Mission Action Plan with our two congregations next month but, as before, please do get in touch if you want to know more now or contribute. Please keep the PCC in your prayers as we engage with the process and discern our future pathway.Stephen Anderson & Adam Harvey
