Since Tim Fletcher left his post as Priest in Charge at Stannington, the Churchwardens and PCC have been in discussion with the Diocese as to how a replacement is to made.As you may know, Tim’s role as Priest in Charge was a half-time appointment with the other half of Tim’s role being in training Curates for the Diocese. Tim has now gone on to do the training role as a full-time appointment.After Tim was appointed in 2014, the Diocese published a strategy for clergy within the whole of the Diocese, which provides funding for a half-time only appointment for Stannington. The Diocese have confirmed that this remains the case and ordinarily we could expect only a half-time minister to replace Tim.This presents a difficulty. The PCC are aware that we have not been able to do all that we would wish to do with only a half-time minister – being Parish priest is a big job in itself. Also there is a limited number of people who would be willing to take a half-time job (the Diocese have confirmed that they are not able to offer an additional half-time role as they did when Tim was appointed).We have also looked into the possibility of sharing clergy with another Parish, but there is no obvious opportunity to do this locally and, in any event, this would not address the resource issue – we believe there should be a full-time Priest in Charge in Stannington.So, what has been proposed to us by the Diocese is what is called a “Graft” whereby a large well-resourced church known as a “Resource Church” offers to provide resources to support another church known as a “Receiving Church”. The PCC have spent some time looking into this type of arrangement including meeting members of a church who have received a Graft.We have now been made an offer from St Thomas Crookes (STC) which is:The STC council have unanimously given their support to the idea of a graft, subject to approval from Christ Church PCCSTC have agreed to provide 50% of a clergy stipend for a three year period, at the end of which we fully anticipate that increased giving, both from the graft team and also through church growth, will more than cover this deficit.STC will recruit and provide a graft/partnership team, probably of around 30 people, mainly, but not exclusively, consisting of STC members who already live in Stannington.What this means is that it will be possible to appoint a full-time minister for Stannington for at least 3 years in anticipation that this will be sustainable into the future. The PCC believes this to be an extremely generous proposal, which offers a real opportunity for us to deliver our Mission in Stannington, and have therefore agreed to go ahead on this basis. The next stage in the process will be to start the recruitment process for the new Minister. The appointment will be made by the Bishop of Sheffield, but the PCC will be involved in the recruitment process and naturally, STC will also have a say as provider of 50% of the funding.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer’ Psalm 18:2It’s coming up to seven years since I became parish priest at Christ Church Stannington. As many of you know my role is only part-time – I also organise the curate training programme for the diocese which has increased significantly since I started. Because of this I’ve been asked to go full time in the curate training role which means I will unfortunately be standing down as priest in charge of Christ Church from September. I have very much enjoyed serving in this parish and I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of this place. It has been a privilege and delight to serve alongside such a gracious church family and kind community.With regard to the next steps, there needs to be a discussion with our church council and our archdeacon – please can I encourage you to be praying about this.There are changing times ahead for us all of us as we start to come out of lockdown. And change can be very unsettling, even good change – some are nervous about reopening facilities, others are fearful about their finances and jobs and as a church we are wondering what the future holds in terms of leadership. But the reality is life always involves change but as Christians we have the truth that in God we have One who never changes - who is always there for us, always to be relied upon and always there to guide us and be our strength. The psalm highlighted above refers to God as our Rock – our ultimate security and this brings us comfort and hope, especially in these uncertain times. Let’s focus our attention on Him each day as we face the future.With love and God blessTim
Read our latest edition of Stannington, our parish magazine, here. Hardcopies of Stannington are available free of charge from Stannington Post Office, Stanwood Post Office, Stannington News, and Stannington Library.
Connect service 210321 Aim: to grow in our understanding of what the Bible says regarding sexualitySome updates regarding opening the church building following our church council meeting last week bearing in mind that some public buildings will begin to open from 12/4. Still need to be very cautious as the latest variant of coronavirus is 50% more contagious that the 1<sup>st</sup>. So subject to risk assessments we hope to have a 9am HC from 18/4 as before (hands/face/space & using a booking system). Also as some outdoor activities are being allowed we propose to have a small outdoor Dawn service in the church yard at 6am on Easter Day with other events online for Holy Week and Easter Day. We will aim to get details on our website and noticeboard once confirmed.Diocesan PrayerLiving God, Jesus calls his followers to seek first your Kingdom. Renew us as we make your love known; Release us to share freely together in mission; and Rejuvenate us to be fruitful in your service. Give us courage, wisdom and compassion, that strengthened with the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may, as the Diocese of Sheffield, both flourish and grow through Christ our Lord. AmenThe Lord be with youConfession Wash me thoroughly from my wickednessand cleanse me from my sin:Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.Make me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me:Christ, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.Cast me not away from your presenceand take not your holy spirit from me:Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.AbsolutionMay the Father forgive usby the death of his Sonand strengthen usto live in the power of the Spiritall our days.Amen.CollectGracious Father,you gave up your Sonout of love for the world:lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,that we may know eternal peacethrough the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,Jesus Christ our Lord.AmenResponsive creed:Do you believe and trust in God the Father,source of all being and life,the one for whom we exist?All We believe and trust in him.Do you believe and trust in God the Son,who took our human nature,died for us and rose again?All We believe and trust in him.Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,who gives life to the people of Godand makes Christ known in the world?All We believe and trust in him.This is the faith of the Church.All This is our faith.We believe and trust in one God,Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Amen.Bible readings 1Corinthians 13 It’s worth saying that we will be talking about a controversial subject this morning – let’s seek to do that in love. Matthew 7:24-29We watched a video on interpreting the Bible (following up on this Bible passage) noting that the Bible is made up of Poetry, Letters, Law & History, recognising we need to take time to listen carefully, bearing in mind context & culture (this video is available on the Church of England website under the resources section: ‘Living in Love and faith’ – in part one of the course of that name).We had a look at some of the different ways Christians interpret the Bible: - Leviticus 11:9-10 food laws in ancient times & their original purpose & their relevance today e.g. law forbidding eating certain sea food like shell fish- 1Corinthians 14:34 content from a letter to a church in Corinth regarding women speaking in church & its relevance today with our culture- Leviticus 20:9 a shocking law about children cursing parents in Hebrew culture but recognising the important underlying principle behind this- Genesis 19:1-7 following discussion in breakout groups we had a plenary which noted that the passage appears to be more about male rape than a comment on homosexuality in general- 1Corinthians 6:9 recognising the different Bible translations available with the Greek word malakoi translated as ‘male prostitute’ or ‘effeminate’ or ‘passive homosexual partners’ or not at all (noting that translation itself involves interpretation from the original Greek). We considered if this was a passage directed towards male prostitution of minors in the Graeco-Roman world rather than homosexuality in general but also noted the general reference of Romans 1:26f.- We considered how science, tradition, prejudice & changing social attitudes can impact on our understanding & interpretation of the Bible. It was noted that as Christians we are to look to the teaching of Christ who said not to judge, encouraged care for the poor & outcast, and highlighted the priority of love. PrayersPray for God’s wisdom & grace in the issues raised today<div>Pray for God’s wisdom in decisions national & local leaders face re coronvirusPray for those who are sick or in particular needLord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.Amen.The issues relating to identity, sexuality, relationships & marriage involve a story of hurt in both church & society today, and difficulty in finding resolution to conflict surrounding such matters. Reflecting on God’s word reminds us of God’s grace and the importance of ongoing learning in this subject.Grace : May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. AmenCommon Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with the common worship) material from which is included in this service, is/are copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000. </div>
