‘Churchwardens’ Chat’
We are now in an interregnum following the retirement of the Vicar and so the monthly letter for the Parish News is written by the Churchwardens
January 2025
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning …
Bishop.Reginald Heber, 1811
Welcome to Epiphany! As we all take down our decorations, the house and the streets look bare, but our hearts can be full of the promise of hope and light, which Jesus brought into the world.
At St Chad’s we are able to move forward with our work in hope and light because of the contribution from a whole team of workers and supporters.
So, who are the ‘team’? It includes our bellringers, choir and Martin our organist; Dominic (from our youth group) and John Fellows who plays organ and piano and helps lead the choir practices. Margaret Harris and her group of flower arrangers, Gena and Mike, our verger Mandy, Alix and Keith organising Shower Singers, Debbie and Philip (and the whole team of workers) delivering ‘Who’s for Lunch?’!
Then there are our sidesmen, servers and chalice assistants, Elaine who organises our rotas; all who read lessons or lead us in intersessions, a whole band of refreshment providers and coffee makers and of course Mike Coope for all his wonderful work!
Then there are our Readers Ken and lain, all the visiting clergy, Barbara and our youth service leaders. Our family worship leaders, Mary who organises our Prayers for Peace group and all members of PCC and sub committees – not forgetting our magazine editor, the volunteers who deliver the magazine without whom you would not be reading this, our money counters and brass cleaners; and then there are our Duke Of Edinburgh students, working on bronze, silver or gold awards and giving some time to help us as part of their award.
It is dangerous to begin naming people because there will be someone left out; if your name is not mentioned and you are part of the ‘team’ we apologise – but what we wish to demonstrate is our wide range of supporters, to whom we owe so much and to nudge you to think of becoming a helper in 2025. What about it? Let us know if you would like to help.
Also please let us know If you or someone you know would like Home Communion.
Join us when we pray for the people of Ukraine at our Prayers for Peace (Tuesdays 6pm) and look out for dates for Shower Singing and Who’s for Lunch?.
We shall let you know if there is any response to our advertisement for a vicar and we wish you all good health and contentment in 2025!
God Bless,
Clive Pendrell and Dorothy Steel,
Churchwardens