Dear friends, September often feels like a season of new beginnings. The long days of summer begin to fade, schools return, routines settle, and many of us find ourselves looking ahead to what lies before us. It is a time of change, of renewal, of new opportunities, and this year that is certainly true for me. After serving as Interim Team Vicar, Team Vicar and Acting Team Rector here in the Uttoxeter Area of Parishes since August 2021, I now leave parish ministry to take up a new role in the Diocese of Lichfield as Vocations Officer and Bishop’s Director of Ordinands. It has been a privilege to share in the life of these parishes - to worship with you, to celebrate baptisms and weddings, to walk alongside families in times of loss, and to see God's faithfulness at work in so many different ways. I leave with deep gratitude and many happy memories. As I have prepared for this new chapter, I have found myself reflecting on the word vocation. We often think of vocation as something that belongs to priests or those training for ministry, but in reality, every person of faith has a vocation. The word simply means "calling"; God calls each one of us to follow Christ and then invites us to use the gifts he has given us in his service and for the good of others. Sometimes that calling involves a significant change of direction. More often, it is discovered in the ordinary faithfulness of everyday life: encouraging a neighbour, caring for a loved one, welcoming a newcomer to church, serving on a rota, offering hospitality, praying faithfully, or stepping forward to try something new. As one chapter closes for me, perhaps this September is an opportunity for each of us to ask a simple question: Lord, what are you calling me to now? The answer may surprise us. God is always at work, and he delights in inviting ordinary people to join in his extraordinary purposes. And remember, even when that feels challenging, as God said to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” That’s the hope my family are currently holding fast. Thank you for your prayers, your friendship, and the many ways you have enriched my ministry among you. As I begin this new role, I would value your prayers, just as you can be assured of mine for you all. May God continue to bless these parishes, as together you seek to know Christ, and make his love known to others. With love, Jules
Living in unity and love Dear Friends, As Checkley’s July magazine combines with that of August, I am writing this August Area letter somewhat early! At this point of time, we are being inundated with rainy weather but the odd ray of sunshine is appearing and, in spite of many troubling world events, I have just enjoyed watching the first event of the 2026 World Cup! Although I am not an avid football supporter, I do enjoy these world events, which show how countries can work together in mutual respect and tolerance, even while obviously sending their teams out there in the hope that they will outperform others! Mega-events like the World Cup generate significant goodness by boosting local economies, fostering international unity, and driving transformative urban development. Other positive impacts of the tournament manifest in several key areas: Host nations experience substantial financial boosts through tourism, hospitality, and upgraded infrastructure. The event also creates thousands of temporary and permanent jobs. The tournament unites billions of fans worldwide, fostering a spirit of global harmony and providing a stage for diverse cultures to celebrate together. Such tournaments often leave a lasting legacy through grassroots programs. Initiatives like the FIFA Foundation use football to promote education, health awareness, and gender equality in disadvantaged communities. While mega-events require massive upfront investment, their long-term benefits can deeply enrich the host societies. It must surely rejoice the heart of God to witness the cooperation fostered by such events, no matter which nation comes out top at the end of it all! They become a focal point for social interaction, as people gather to watch matches together, celebrate victories, and mourn defeats. Such communal experiences strengthen social bonds and create a sense of unity. Before the crucifixion, Jesus famously prayed "that they may all be one" (John 17:21), as he prayed for his followers to be united, just as he and the Father are one. As death was looming before him, the unity of his believers was foremost on his heart and he wanted that unity to be visible so that the world would know that he had come from the Father. And that desire for unity extends to us too as we deal with one another in all of our varied relationships- in our families, our workplaces, our social time, our differing Christian denominations, our relationships with those from other cultures and backgrounds. I am sure, too, that we are all wishing The Revd Jules Walker all the very best as she leaves the Uttoxeter Area for her new post as Vocations Officer for lay and ordained callings. We thank her for her time here and wish her many fulfilling relationships as she seeks to encourage others to pursue their vocations across the diocese. Jules has said: “I am excited to be combining my commitment to both lay and ordained vocations, drawing on my experience of working in industry, leading lifelong learning and in fourteen years’ parish ministry. I deeply value exploring the varied ways God calls his people to ministry, have a love for encouraging theological learning, and I look forward to this new post with real joy and anticipation as these different experiences come together in one role.” God be with you, Jules. Peace and prayers, Irene Smith
Hello,This month I would like to focus on the work of the Uttoxeter Area of Parishes Young People’s Trust (YPT).A Potted HistoryThe YPT was set up over two decades ago to fund a Church of England Youth Worker in the Uttoxeter Area. Money came from the diocese, local churches and individuals. Once the youth worker post finished, the YPT was left with a chunk of money which was used to fund youth work (led by Rev. Sue Willetts), Open The Book (storytelling in schools), grants for local church projects (such as Big Screen in Tean) and help support training. For the past four years, the primary focus of the YPT has been on paying 25% of the costs of a local Schools Worker.Schools WorkerJordan Lambert became a local Schools Worker about eight years ago. Originally, the post was funded by the Methodist, United Reform and Renew churches in Uttoxeter. The YPT then offered its financial resources. This has meant an outlay of approximately £10,000 per year.Jordan goes into 21 local First, Primary and Middle schools in the Uttoxeter area and beyond. This Spring Term he ran 220 sessions across those schools, including assemblies, worship team sessions and chaplaincy. He also runs specific programmes such as Think Tank, which encourages children to engage in ethical and faith issues, asking them to think for themselves about how these questions impact them and the world in which they live. Jordan also sits on four school governing bodies, providing a consistent Christian input.The big project this Spring was the Cinema Project, where Jordan arranged for over 1000 local schoolchildren to see the film, ‘King of Kings’ at the Uttoxeter Cinebowl.FundingOver the last four years the outgoings from the YPT have far outstripped the income. Some local churches and individuals have maintained a regular total contribution of £800 to the YPT and, after a fundraising push last year, that amount has risen to £2000. With a current bank balance of £15000, you can see that we need more money to continue funding the Schools Worker post, training, the new CofE Brick Church Project and – if affordable – other work aimed at our young people. Small (or large !!), regular donations help us to maintain our commitments and budget for the future. I can guarantee that every single penny donated goes towards the work.The Big Why?The Schools Worker post that the YPT part-funds does work that we do not have the money, staff or volunteers to do ourselves. For a relatively small outlay, Jordan reaches over a thousand children that we do not have in our congregations. He opens up possibilities of faith which, most importantly, helps to equip them for decisions they make now or later in life.If you’d like to contribute to the Uttoxeter Area of Parishes Young People’s Trust, please contact our Benefice Administrator on 01889 562915 or uttoxeterareaparish@outlook.comIf you’d like to talk about what the YPT does, please contact one of the Trustees, who are myself (joecant214@gmail.com, 07592 206706), Rev. Jules Walker, Linda Beech, Andy White, Toby Collins and Nicola Bagworth. Peace and prayers, Rev. Joe Cant, Team Vicar, Uttoxeter Area of Parishes.
