LETTER FROM REVD LOUISE

Dear Friends,

I hope you are well and have coped with the extreme weather this summer. It’s been a bit much for many of us!

As many you already know, I will be moving in October to a new post as Residentiary Canon for Nurture and Education in Chelmsford Cathedral. This means I will be a member of staff at the Cathedral, taking services, doing pastoral work etc. But my specific role will involve overseeing their children’s and schools work, helping to plan termly themed projects which will include lectures, exhibitions and other special events. On a very practical level, it will mean I can live just 3 miles from my parents. They are not as young as they were and whilst they are doing ok, I will be pleased to be able to keep a better eye on them!

Thank you for the many kind thoughts and wishes I’ve received since announcing this in July: you are very kind.

Many of you have asked about the future for St Andrew’s and St Peter’s so I will try to answer your questions.

The Diocese don’t send anyone just to take over. There is a process to appointing a new Rector and it can feel a bit long and drawn out. The Church Council will be asked to produce a Parish Profile. This will contain information about Shoebury, about the parish, the churches, the people and what they sense is needed from a new priest. They may well consult widely in this and the Archdeacon and new Area Dean will be able to help them. They will be asked what sort of qualities the new priest will need, which aspects of parish life need particular attention and so on. It can feel like a dating profile and, as with any relationship, it is better to take it steadily and not rush!

We haven’t had official confirmation about this but, as far as I know, no pastoral reorganisation is planned. This is the technical term used when parishes join up with others. The churches are active, cheerful and solvent and, importantly, have been faithfully contributing money to the central pot for many, many years. This is important. The Diocese does not have the resources it once had and, if parishes do not or cannot pay their way, when vacancies occur, it is not always possible to replace clergy. So thank you for the faithful generosity you have shown over many years: keep it going!

When I came to work in Shoebury nearly 16 years ago, there had been a 2-year vacancy. It can take that long but I hope and pray it will be much shorter. It is the case however, that it will be several months at the very least.

So, it will require lots of hard work and co-operation from everyone if the parish is to thrive. Denise our Church Warden, will be effectively in charge, working with the Parochial Church Council. Sandra Baines will be a key person in that as the Chair of the PCC and as our Lay Reader. PLEASE, don’t just leave all the work to Sandra and Den! Offer help, be cooperative and positive. Don’t stop coming to church!

We are in the process of asking local clergy to help cover communion services. Some services are proving easier to cover than others but we will do our best.

Happily, we will be able to continue with most of the activities I’m involved with: for example, Mark Gadsden will lead our after-school clubs; Jo Hellenbrand from the Baptist Church will continue with services at Kathryn Court and Autumn Cottage. Others will take on booking burials of ashes, weddings, funerals and baptisms. And still others will try to keep up with housebound church members. It will be different but I am confident the work here will go from strength to strength as you all commit to pray for each other and for the future, and as you uncover new gifts and skills.

My last Sunday will be at Harvest Festival on October 4th. We will have tea and cake at St Peter’s after the 11am service.

The previous night (Oct 3rd) we’ll have a farewell ‘do’ at St Andrew’s Hall at 6pm. This will be a buffet and we hope many of you will come. Please let us know! Also, please sign the sheets in church to indicate if you can bring some food. Please don’t just bring random food… there is a specific list and it’s much more helpful if you can please bring items on the list! Also, if you are bringing food, please bring it in time for 6pm. Thank you so much and especially to Den and Nikki who are organising this.

I will be licensed to my new post in a service at the Cathedral on Oct 17th at 5.15pm. You are all welcome to attend but it would be helpful to know approximate numbers as they print orders of service and will be providing food afterwards. So, please let me know in early September that you would like to come.

I’ve had a very happy, nearly, 16 years here in Shoebury. You have been unfailingly kind, generous and supportive and it will be a real wrench to leave. I do ask for your prayers as my daughter Lizzy and I move. I will of course, be keeping you in my prayers.

God bless you.

With love,

Louise.x