October 2024Dear Friends in the Uttoxeter Area What’s red with big eyes, one leg and a blade ? No! Not a knife blade - a blade to run on! It’s the mascot for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Last week we had the opportunity to go to Paris and see some of the wheelchair tennis, part of the sports celebration and competition that is the Olympics and Paralympics. It was very impressive - lots of athletes, lots of spectators and lots of volunteer helpers all enjoying themselves and the sport. The dedication, the commitment, the enthusiasm, the sheer hard work which goes into training for the Olympics and Paras is amazing, humbling, and occasionally a bit shocking to see the physical challenges that some people are up against. Just the amount of kit they need – not only the massive racquet bag; but tennis players come onto court in one wheelchair; and then swap to the special wheelchair with stabilising wheels which prevent them from tipping up as they turn a tight corner. There are lots of sporting metaphors in the Bible and the commitment of sportsmen and women has lots to teach us about the Christian life too. At one time those with physical or mental health difficulties would have been ostracised by society, but Jesus teaches us to value and celebrate all Gods people. It is good that some parts of the world are reflecting that, even if they don’t give all the credit to God and the Gospel message. In our Christian life we too may be athletes, spectators or volunteers (and sometimes we can be all three at the same time), we have the challenge of living the message of the love of God and bringing it to those we meet. In the Uttoxeter Area there are people with different skills and gifts and there are different types of services too. Some will find one style of worship more helpful, but people are always welcome- athletes, spectators and workers. I am mostly involved in leading the 6pm service at Uttoxeter which takes place on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays in the month, it is fairly informal and a bit different each week with the words to the hymns and songs on the screen. If you are a bit curious or find 6pm is a convenient time, please come along and join us, you will be very welcome. Happy October! I hope to have a chat with many of you in the next few months.With best wishes Lucy Lucy Toyn Reader in Uttoxeter Area
AREA LETTER – July, 2024Dear Friends,Most of us can’t help but notice that there are some momentous events taking place this month, of either national political or sporting importance, both in this country and a little further afield; the General Election in the UK, the Football Euros Championship in Germany and the Olympic Games in Paris and the Tour de France, just to name but a few. It may be for some that both sorts of events are a ‘turn off’, but for most I expect, depending on the progress of individuals or ‘teams’, then interest is sparked and grows. Whatever your interest, I hope that we all wish the participants well as they seek success.In each of the events we will see emblems or logos, be it the overarching symbol of the event or of individual parties or nations. The Euro logo has the trophy surrounded by an oval of colours, representing the national colours of the participating nations. However, for me, the most striking and enduring logo is the five interlinked circles of the Olympic Games, representing the five continents of the world, and of the motto, which originally was Faster – Higher – Stronger, but since 2021 has added to it -Together. The logo and motto express the aspirations of the Olympic Movement and of its participants.These logos represent a unity of purpose at a national and individual level and whilst individuals will shine, they cannot succeed without being part of a team. Winning is a little hollow if you’re the only person, team or party participating. We see the results of this played out throughout our troubled world. Yes, in competition there will be winners and losers, but that’s all part of being together. I’m reminded of the acronym TEAM, which stands for ‘Together everyone achieves more’ and I believe we can and do this if we are together.It is ‘togetherness’ that is for me the most important aspect of our Christian faith. Jesus had a team of twelve around him, each person different and with different aspirations, but they had a closeness and bond together and Jesus gave them the impetus to go out into the world to preach the good news of the gospel. It is as a result of their efforts that we are here in our time to carry on that work of spreading the good news in our part of God’s wonderful creation. We do that here as the Benefice of the Uttoxeter Area of Churches – Together (this word added like it’s been added to the Olympic motto!). It can seem daunting and at times like treading through treacle, but we are all together on this journey of hope, yes, each of with our individual gifts of the Holy Spirit; but we can’t achieve much on our own - we are part of a team and we need to participate, listen, care, love, build that closeness and bond to grow together to achieve more.In the story of creation in the Holy Bible, we can come to understand that God’s intent was that we should be together in community, in communion with one another, symbolized in the co-existence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which we celebrate throughout the church’s long season of Trinity, but which existed together right at the beginning of time. All this is set in another logo of unity and purpose as well as individuality and togetherness.....Best Wishes and BlessingsRevd. Charles Dale (PTO)
Hello friends, Many of you will know that I am a big dabbler in model railways and over the last few months have been preparing an old shed to move my model railway layout into. Joy of joys the first train ran yesterday although there is still some work to do to make it operate how I want it to. Why do so many people find an escape in building a model railway, or any other model?. Many of us still dwell on our past history and the only real way of bringing it back is in creating our own vision of it whether that be a diorama, a model or even a piece of artwork. It all brings back long forgotten memories. Other reasons are seeing God’s creation out of our windows inspiring us to recreate it in model form or looking at our world slowly pulling itself apart we wish to create our own mini world just as we would like it. Over the past few weeks, I have been asked questions about my ministry. The first was at Talbot School, Kingstone when I was asked by Jess along with three others from across the Area to talk about the work we do in the week in relation to our calling as God’s disciples. After the grilling from the young pupils, it made me stop and think about what I do and how I could improve on my ministry or if it is right for this present moment in my life. I am afraid this is going to be a rather longish reflection. The second was during a visit to Wetherspoons where I was asked how I was called to be a priest. Was it a sudden demand by God or a gradual realising that I was being called to minister to God’s people? What has all this to do with Model railways and ministry? I think in our hearts of hearts we would all enjoy living in a perfect world. The big question for us all is how do we achieve this? I feel the answer lies in the question what would Jesus do in this present time? I don’t think it would be much different to what he did when he was alive. He would talk and listen to people, healing them with words of wisdom or miracles. He would pray for them and the world and encourage all his followers to do the same. How we take up this challenge from Jesus affects us all in many ways. We are all different with different skills and abilities. Discerning these gifts, skills and abilities from God and putting them to use is what Jesus would pray for. Whether this is for a few minutes a day or a few hours a week, whether in church or in the community, whether at home or abroad, just being who and what we are for Jesus is all we need to do. And just like modellers world-wide we may just be able to begin changing our community and world for the better.May God bless you in all that you do in his name,Chris.Revd Chris Brown, non-stipendiary minister for the Uttoxeter Area.
Rev Margaret Sherwin Rev Joe Cant Rev Jules Walker 07541993969 07592206706 07369216993AREA UPDATEHopefully, by now you will all have heard the announcement that the Benefice of Uttoxeter Area of Parishes (UAP) is to have 3 permanent Area Stipendiary (paid) Clergy, ministering alongside the dedicated and wonderful volunteer Area Staff Team (AST). As many of you will know, we have been working hard with the Diocese over the last few years to prove that UAP can sustain 3 full-time clergy and we are grateful for the commitment and support that everyone in the parishes has given to this. Rev Jules Walker arrived with us on a 3-year interim contract in August 2021, with a brief to help the Area prove sustainability and viability, and we are delighted that as part of that process she has accepted the Bishop’s invitation to become a permanent Team Vicar at her licensing service at St Mary’s Uttoxeter on Sunday 2nd June at 3pm with Bishop Matthew and Archdeacon Megan. Everyone is very warmly invited to this Area service as we celebrate a new chapter in the way mission and ministry will happen in the Area. Please do come along!We know there will be questions about how this affects the parishes, and although the next 12 months will be a time of bedding in new ways of working, we did want to communicate right at the start of the new process our initial thoughts and the process going forward. Why change?Put simply, the old system wasn’t working and wasn’t the shape needed for the changing nature of church and society. Following discussions within the wider Team, the Deanery via its ‘Shaping for Mission’ initiative, and with Diocesan colleagues in August 2023 a new Strategy for UAP was agreed at Bishop’s Council, recognising that the current way of working through ‘key’ ministers was no longer fit for purpose. A new team structure was required that allowed a more ‘fluid’ approach to roles within the Team, which would ensure no part of UAP became detached or dysfunctional, and allowed the gifts of the clergy to be deployed across the Team to ensure missional effectiveness and financial stability into the future. This approach would support effective, sustainable and healthy mission and ministry, and seek to equip and enable parishes to serve the wider community now and in the future. What does that mean for us?The next 12 months, in particular, will be a time of transition and we recognise that change is challenging for all involved. Change isn’t easy, but it is very necessary. The new Area Strategy requires substantial changes to the roles and responsibilities of much we currently do including the legal Area governance through the Area Team Council (ATC); new processes for parish governance and Mission Action Plans through the Parochial Church Councils (PCCs); new ways of working for the Area Staff Team (AST) with a more flexible approach to ministry; and changes in the way we finance all this through the Area Finance Committee (AFC) in its responsibilities towards finance in the Area, including Common Fund. Importantly, it will also see changes in the structures for pastoral care and local mission within the parishes, and this will take time to develop, communicate and bed-in. That’s a lot! So please do pray!What will we see happening?Although many of these changes will take time to develop, especially around legal governance and new ways of working, there are some things you will notice change straight away: • The rota and service leaders: The service rota will not change – the services and times you currently have will remain (with a slight exception for St Peter’s Marchington). However, as the Area Stipendiary Clergy move away from being ‘key’ ministers at particular churches, becoming instead fluid across the whole Area of 10 parishes and 11 church buildings, you will see different service leaders each week. Don’t think of it as loosing “your vicar” but receiving 2 more and of course, this change means no Area parish will ever be in vacancy again! The Area Staff Team will continue to work across the Area too – with the exception of John at Bramshall and Irene at Checkley. • Chairing of PCCs. The Area Stipendiary Clergy now Chair all PCCs (with the exception of Bramshall presently). The new Area Ministry Plan provides a new structure which means the Area Stipendiary Clergy will rotate the chairing of PCCs, although each PCC will have the same Clergy Chair for 3 years for continuity. • Area Stipendiary Clergy meeting. To ensure effective leadership we have already started to meet together weekly to pray, support and plan. The holding of UAP in prayer is an important aspect of our role as we seek God’s guidance in all we do. We meet weekly on a Monday morning as an Area Stipendiary Team and monthly with the Area Co-ordinator to ensure the administration process is effective and robust. Any queries can be passed to any member of the Stipendiary Clergy Team for discussion at these meetings. • Pastoral Care. We recognise that a move from ‘key ministers’ will create anxiety within the parishes, with concern that Clergy will become detached. There is already outstanding pastoral care taking place within our parishes and all the Area Staff Team are keen to support that. Any pastoral concerns, or requests for pastoral visits, can be passed to the Area Co-ordinator at anytime. If the request is urgent it will be sent to Joe, Jules and Margaret for action. If not, it will be discussed at the Monday meeting and appropriate action decided on and feedback given. All of the AST will be available for pastoral care and visiting. • Life Events (Weddings, Baptisms & Funerals). A vitally important part of church life involves Life Events. We will develop and implement the system to share-out Life Events across the AST and develop strategies for follow-up. It’s important that the Area Coordinator is the central point of contact for all Life Events across all parishes so that effective and timely administration happens. All requests for weddings, baptisms and funerals should be directed to the Area Co-ordinator who will then make arrangements with the Area Staff Team, church and make sure records are updated. • Local Mission. Part of the new structure is for the Stipendiary Clergy Team to develop and lead on a strategy to equip and support parishes to do ministry, mission and pastoral care through new flexible processes developed and communicated through the ATC. This new way of working will require a time of transition and consultation with the parishes and ATC, but please be assured that the AST will be available to help parishes in the ways we get the message of God’s love out to everyone. • Communication. We recognise that good, effective and timely communication is vital. Many will know that Lesley White is retiring at the end of July and we are already in the process of advertising and recruiting a new Benefice Administrator. Details will be available very soon. This role will continue to provide central communication, and we hope there will also be the development of a Benefice diary and new social media routes. Watch this space! What do we ask of you?Please pray! For those involved in the process of change, for new and creative ways of connecting with our communities, and for our current ways of worshipping to be invitational and welcoming. The reason we exist as church is to glorify God and asking for God’s help in all we hope to achieve in the coming years is important. Everyone has a role to play in praying!Please ensure that any communications – newsletters, parish magazines, noticeboards, websites – do not have individual named “local vicars’’ anymore but instead point to the 3 Area Stipendiary Clergy Margaret, Jules & Joe and the Area Office. It is in reinforcing the new ways of working that real change will embed into our practices. Margaret, Joe and Jules all have mobile phones dedicated to Area work, the numbers are at the top of this letter, and ask that these numbers alone as advertised. For safeguarding reasons, Area Staff Teams’ emails can also be published, but not our home addresses please. Think about how you can be involved – do you have gifts and energy that you can give to the Area. Might God be nudging you to be more or differently involved? Please do speak to any of the Area Staff Team to explore this further. Be positive! We know that change is challenging, but we also hope and believe in a God who is abundantly generous to his children. God wants great things for the UAP – can you join in with his mission and ministry?With great thanks for all you do, are and will be!Margaret, Joe & Jules
