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‘Maureen’s Musings’
The Vicar’s monthly letter for the Parish News
May 2021
So here we are – my final musing for your parish magazine. Next month you will be in the very capable hands of your Churchwardens, newly elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. As my last working day in the parish will be Sunday 30th May, I think it appropriate that the next issue is introduced by the team that will be responsible for taking you into the Interregnum.
But don’t be surprised if you see me around the village for a few weeks following that date. Preparing to move has been difficult during the strange times we have been living through, and although I have been trying gradually to shed ‘stuff’ in readiness for leaving, it will take a few weeks of dedicated effort and packing before I am ready to leave the vicarage for the last time!
With the loss of Prince Philip last month and the experience of a week of National Mourning we have all been aware of time passing and change coming – significant change.
This month – 1st May – will see me officiating at my last wedding here in Pattingham and the last ever to be registered in St Chad’s. New legislation means that from 4th May any couples marrying in this (or any) church will not be given a marriage certificate as such. We will still need to complete documentation but not until that is sent on to the Civil Registrar and recorded digitally by RON (registration on-line) will a formal marriage certificate be issued.
I must admit that it all sounds a bit cumbersome to me and I am sure there will be plenty of mistakes in the early days. Selfishly, I am quite glad that I won’t have to administer it! On the positive side, in future both mothers and fathers will be able to be recorded on the marriage papers . . . Putting right an injustice that has long rankled in many families!
Our experiments with live-streaming for Easter Day, went very well, such that we can look forward to most of our services now coming from inside church and in ‘real’ time. But those involved in Family Services and the Youth service will be able to choose whether to pre-record on video, or deliver in person in church.
We are planning that for the foreseeable future, these services will be followed by Communion in church and a variety of clergy will be coming to preside for these and other Sundays. As and when the restrictions change on needing to deep clean the church following services – and hopefully that congregations may again sing (definitely not before 21st June at the earliest!) – we hope to be able to offer an evening service, if not weekly, then at least once per month. Watch this space . . .
As to my future plans, well I may be spending some time at my house in Much Wenlock but ultimately I hope to move to the Wirral. Initially I shall be living with my friend in Neston, but once there I shall be looking for a suitable home for my retirement and to accommodate Suzie . . . and maybe even a little friend for her?!
I leave with many good memories of my time in Pattingham and never doubt that I shall continue to keep you all in my prayers – and later, in June, I look forward to opportunities to bid you a proper farewell.
God bless you and keep you,
Maureen.