I have been made to feel very welcomed, as myself and my wife Sian have moved into Alrewas. Thank you to all who came along to the Licencing Service at All Saints Church, at which Bishop Michael licenced me as the Priest in Charge of Alrewas with Fradley and Wychnor. I am enjoying getting to know people in the local area, and am looking forward to meeting more people at the various church and community events coming up in June- including the Choir Concerts at All Saints on 6th June, the Dedication Service with Bishop Michael and the RAF at St Stephens on the 13th June, the 1st Alrewas Scout Duck Race on the 20th or the Open Gardens weekend.If you are interested in what I and the churches are up to over the coming weeks, as well as following us on Facebook @alrewasallsaints.church @ststephensfradley you can now also follow us on Instagram.To contact me directly e-mail vicar@alrewasallsaints.church or call 01283 384 000Jonathan
Au Revoir! I had the task (a pleasant one! And a privilege) many years ago, of giving a ‘farewell sermon’ for one of my colleagues at St Chad’s. Several of us ‘learned our trade’ there – our high aspirations and theological training hadn’t really equipped us for ‘servant’ ministry! Reality did kick in very soon!! We became movers-in- chief of heavy objects as we carried paschal candles round the church, filled fonts with buckets of water...emptied bins…..fancy ideas about what it meant to be ordained went out of the window. And rightly so, because ordained ministry is about enabling...humble, sacrificial service. Now I know that not everyone agrees with me but I think this is ‘Jesus’ ministry. He washed people’s feet………. ...and he developed collaborative ministry! In my view this is the only way church grows. It is an ‘every member’ ministry because everything helps and everyone has a gift or talent to offer. But this is a farewell day….the end of my 25 years with a Common Tenure Licence. I hope that this is not the last time I will see you all- in short, I have good reason- very many good reasons to hold you all in great affection. I will no doubt miss these churches, their busyness and activity... (although one acknowledges that at my age 60 hours a week is a bit much!) but I will miss you greatly. But, the church is a pilgrim community and pilgrims must travel on for time to time. May God bless all of you in your journey of faith and thank you for allowing me to travel with you for the last 12 years. Yours, Elizabeth
I am very much looking forward to taking up the post of Priest in Charge (vicar designate) of Alrewas with Fradley and Wychnor. From first meeting people at the interview day to subsequent meetings preparing for the new post, I have been made to feel very welcome.I very much believe Church is a place for all- whether young or old, whatever our background or life experience. The love of God is for all people, and when we encounter God, we can’t helped but be changed and transformed through that experience. I am therefore excited to be joining the church and wider communities in the local area.My wife and I will be moving from our current location of Sutton Coldfield, where I have been vicar of St Chads Church since 2015. As well as enjoying hill walking, cycling and gardening; we also keep chickens so alongside Sian and I moving into the vicarage, our chickens will be taking up residence in the vicarage garden.Over the coming weeks you may spot us coming and going as we do bits and pieces of decorating in preparation for the move. We don’t have a moving in date yet, but it is likely to be towards the end of April, in preparation for the licencing service in May.I am very much looking forward to getting to know people within the local areaJonathan
Great news!!<a></a>As most of you know, we have been without a stipendiary priest for 15 months now. We have advertised and interviewed, and we are delighted to confirm that the Revd Jonathan Nicholas has formally accepted Bishop Tim’s offer of the position of Priest in Charge (Vicar Designate) of Alrewas with Fradley and of Wychnor.Jonathan is currently vicar of St Chad’s, Hollyfield Road, Sutton Coldfield and this announcement has been made in All Saints Alrewas, in St Stephen’s Fradley and in Jonathan’s home church in Sutton Coldfield.Jonathan’s licensing date is in the process of being confirmed with Bishop Michael and more information about Jonathan and his wife Sian will be forthcoming, but we feel that he is an answer to our prayers.Please continue to pray for him and for us as we prepare to welcome him and his family here in due course in 2026.A prayer…for Jonathan and Sian and for ourselves………. Loving God, we give you thanks that your Holy Spirit has guided this process and this appointment. We pray for Jonathan and Sian as they prepare to leave a parish where they are much loved and begin preparations for the transition to move here and minister among us.We pray for ourselves as we prepare also for change and continue to serve God in our churches and the wider community.
