Putting together Connected this month I was struck by how many social events are starting to take off again. In March alone we have the St Francis Quiz, a Beetle Drive, the Community Cinema, Lent Lunches, and Soup & a Song. Followed by the Fairburn Singers and Board Games in St Wilfrid's during April. It's exhausting just thinking about it all!In other news, thanks to Sue Beevers for the photographs of Revd. Pete's installation at Pinderfields Hospital.Thanks also to Martin Pearson for news of a new water feature at St Wilfrid's.
In mid-January, St Wilfrid’s Parish entered a period of ‘interregnum’ as our previous Rector, Rev Pete left to take up a new role as a Health Care Chaplain. As part of the recruitment process, our Parochial Church Council (PCC) must prepare a ‘Parish Profile’ to accompany the advertisement for a new Rector.The Parish Profile covers many aspects of our Church Life and as such we would like to hear views from our congregations - regular attendees, those who come only for special occasions (Christmas, Easter), those attending family occasions such as weddings, baptisms and funerals, the schools within our parish, church groups and other organisations using our buildings.To facilitate the process of gathering thoughts and observations, the PCC have listed four questions which we hope will enable you to provide your considered views. They are found in the attached document. You can return the completed form by email or physically via the ‘post-box’ at the back of church. If you are returning by email, please send the form as an attachment to me, Martin Pearson at: artistmartin51@gmail.Forms should be returned by Sunday 18th February. All responses will be treated anonymously.We will also be arranging drop-in sessions and meeting groups to gather views and answer questions. You may prefer to attend one of these sessions at St Wilfrid’s Parish Hall:Tuesday 13th February 7 – 9pmSaturday 17th February 11 – 1pmRefreshments will be provided.The PCC are keen to hear from you, and we look forward to receiving your responses.Many thanks and kind regards,Martin Pearson, on behalf of the PCC.
In September I complained that, in that month, I hadn't received any articles. Well this month I have an abundance of riches!The main news this month is Revd. Pete leaving St Wilfrid's Parish for pastures new in the NHS. We wish him, and the Watson family, all the very best in this new phase of his ministry.Also this month we present the answers to the Christmas Spot the Baby Quiz. So now tha' knows!
My dear friends in Brayton, Thorpe Willoughby, Barlow, Burn, South-West Selby and beyond I do hope and pray this finds you well. I am contacting you with a very heavy heart indeed. During my extended time of sick leave it became evident, and I have very reluctantly had to accept, that my health condition will no longer allow me to continue in full time parish ministry. Over the last few months I have, therefore, been applying for hospital chaplaincy posts. I recently successfully interviewed for and have accepted a post as Health Care Chaplain at the Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust. The largest of its 3 hospitals is Pinderfields at Wakefield where I'll mainly be based, but I will also work out of the Trust's 2 other smaller hospitals at Dewsbury and Pontefract. Whilst, of course, there will be significant challenges to manage in hospital chaplaincy, nevertheless, my hope is that in it I will find not only another fulfilling ministry, but a more “boundaried”, and therefore more sustainable, ministry. In this way my prayer is that I am enabled to continue fulfilling the vocation to ordained ministry God has called me to. I love parish ministry, and love you all, so this brings me enormous sadness. It goes without saying that this is very hard for me and for us as a family. In the almost 14 years since we moved here, our girls have grown up among you and we have all made our home in this community. We are so grateful to you all for these years and will miss you enormously. We know, too, that there will be a lot of sadness, though perhaps not complete surprise, as you receive this news, for which I am very sorry indeed. Charlotte will continue to teach at Brayton CofE Primary School. My last Sunday service in the parish will be a Joint Parish Communion Service on the 10th December [in St Wilfrid's Church, Brayton]. I am all too aware that this is very short notice indeed, and I am sincerely sorry about this, however this is due to the timings and other constraints largely relating to my new appointment. It would be so very lovely if you felt able to join me for that. It will be at 10.30am at St Wilfrid's in Brayton. Also, to reassure you that Rev Christine Gillespie and Rev Phil Grayson, supported by Rev Roy Shaw, will continue to oversee ministry and mission in the parish as the process begins of finding a new Rector. My heartfelt thanks to them, and to all in the parish who will be working hard as the parish moves into a period of uncertainty, but also, I hope, excitement as to what God has ahead for the parish. I will, of course, hold you all much in my prayers, and would ask that, if you are someone who prays, you will remember us in yours too. Thank you. With my love and blessings Rev PeteSt Wilfrid's Churchwarden Pat Jarvis adds:Dear AllYou will have received the email from Rev Pete yesterday with a feeling of sadness I'm sure. We are sorry that he will be leaving Brayton Parish after fourteen years of ministry here and want to give him a good send off when he moves into his new role as Chaplain in the Wakefield area hospitals.At Rev Pete's final service on the 10th December we will be presenting him with a leaving gift from the Parish and you may like to make a contribution to this gift. If you do this can be done in several ways:By cheque or cash - cheques made out to Brayton Parochial Church Council - and please put in an envelope marked Rev PeteEnvelopes can be put in the collection plate at the back of church at services on Wednesday 29th Nov, Sunday 4th Dec and Wed 6th Dec Thankyou.They can also be sent or delivered either to me or to our treasurer Jill Clarke Please contact us by phone or email for our addresses. ThankyouPat Jarvis (Churchwarden) patjarvis69@gmail.com 01757 708881Jill Clarke (Church Treasurer) treasurer@stwilfridsparish.com 01757 708646ORYou can contribute by direct bank transfer to the church bank account. Please see the details below:Bank : Virgin MoneyAccount name: Brayton Parochial Church CouncilSort Code: 05 07 62Account number: 25126061 (When making the transfer please indicate for Rev Pete)Thankyou very much. We hope you will be able to join us for Rev Pete's final Sunday service with us at 10.30am on Sunday 10th December at St Wilfrid's, when we will give Pete and Charlotte a very special thankyou for their ministry and all that they have given to our Parish in the fourteen years they have been with us.With my thanks and best wishesPat Jarvis
