Happy New Year from the Vicarage. Lindy and I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year! January this year begins with an element of sadness for me as I start my last few months in the parish and my final term with the children in school. Many of you will know that when I was interviewed for the post here, I was emphatic that my ministry would be based on an overt pastoral relationship with the children and families in the school, bringing a basic understanding of the bible stories as the major thrust of my teaching at weekly assemblies. That grew into our Children Led Services where we have encouraged and empowered our children to choose songs, write and read their prayers and to lead the church in worship as well as demonstrate their abilities to sing and/or play an instrument. I am truly grateful to all the parents who have encouraged and supported their children to engage with these services and supported the refreshments either before the service at café church or afterwards with tea, coffee and cake. It is my hope that from among these parents we will find volunteers to enable the services to continue when I leave. If that is YOU please talk to me soon! Classes will start soon for the confirmation and licensing for communion before confirmation service that will happen on April 19th. If you have a child aged 11 or over who would like to be confirmed or if there are any younger children (8 or older) who would like to be considered for communion before confirmation, please do contact me. Thank you to all who do something to make our churches a welcoming place throughout the year. Whatever job you might do, from cleaning to opening and closing the building, a very heartfelt and warm thank you. Many thanks also to all who work to produce and distribute our magazine for us throughout the year, and also to our advertisers who enable its publication through their continuing support. Thanks also for the tremendous support in November and December last year for our Toy Appeal and Reverse advent Calendar initiative which both had record support and once again amazed the staff at the Salvation Army in Lead Lane in Ripon. The response of our two village communities is always fantastic and very heart warming. Thank you to the those who have made our Christmas music so good this year – our new Choirmaster Scott and the children and adults who have worked so hard under him to raise our Nine Lessons and Carols services to new heights. Please see the rota of services elsewhere in the magazine to see what services are taking place this month. May God bless you in all that you do and say this New Year and remember that we would love to welcome you in either Church. Blessings, Robb
Bishop Monkton: St John the Baptist
