We are delighted to announce, subject to legalities, that Stephen Goundrey-Smith has been offered and accepted the role of Rector of this Benefice. Stephen was born and brought up in the Banbury area; after a career in hospital pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry, he was ordained into Church of England ministry in 1999. He studied theology at Oxford and Exeter, and has served in rural parishes in Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire. He is married to Sally, a children's and families worker, and they have four grown up children. Stephen says, "I am excited about ministry in Hook Norton, Great Rollright, Swerford with Wigginton as these villages are varied and vibrant, and offer many opportunities for authentic local Christian mission and service in a rural setting, where the church can engage with people of all walks of life. Sally and I look forward to being part of the community there.”Many of you will have met Stephen as he is currently part of the Chipping Norton team and has taken services in the Benefice during the vacancy and we are thrilled that he will be joining us as our new Rector in a few months me.
LoveThe ground that hatred has gained will be retaken by love;the losses that we’ve sustainedwill be remembered by love;the tears that we’ve criedwill be wiped away by love;the pain and grief insidewill be healed by love;a world that seems dividedwill be remade by love;this fight is one-sided –the universe was built by loveand it was made to bring us together;love is patient, kind, formidable, invincibleand it’s the only thing that will last forever.Not even death can defeat love.So all of the sorrow and the loneliness,all of the anger and bitternessand confusion and brokennesswill be outflanked, outdone,outmatched and overcomeby love.
When I pray in my chamber, I build a sanctuary there.When I case out a prayer upon the street, a spire rises suddenly to the skies.When, without voice, my soul prays in any place,my whole being becomes a church.When my faith kindles and flames into praisethe whole create world becomes a Minster.Eric Milner-White
