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As given at the Annual Meeting on April 10th in the Parish Hall.
Part 1 - People
One of the many interesting things about this Parish is the way we are able to reflect together on our life and ministry.
I notice this at the beginning of each PCC Meeting, when we discuss something of current interest, such as our Baptism Policy, or how to celebrate the Year of the Bible, or what we are doing when we are planning Parish Visiting - it's always fascinating.
And we've had plenty to talk about in the past year.
One of the major events in the life of the Parish was Sheena's arrival, with her family, last summer.
It wasn't an easy start, because of Ewan and Eilidh needing to stay in Kempshott until the end of the School Year, and then problems with the sale and purchase of the house, and so on - I know it was a very stressful time for all of them.
However, certainly from our point of view, it was worth the wait, and Sheena has made herself very much at home here, and begun very quickly to share her particular gifts with us and the wider Parish.
I am very much looking forward to her ministry continuing to develop and grow in the coming months, especially after she is priested on July 2nd, and presides for the first time, at a Parish Eucharist, at St Mary's on July 3rd.
As I always say, but can't let a year go by without saying it, I would like to thank the whole ministry team for all their help and support during the year.
Our pattern of worship and other activities would not be sustainable without the help of those who give so freely and generously of their time and energy.
So I'm grateful to John and Bruce and Chris Medway for all their help, support and encouragement.
Of those who have left us in recent years, good news - Vicky Maunder is expecting twins in the summer; Kate Sax is moving closer to her mother and sister, to be half-time priest-in-charge of a parish, and half-time missioner - an ideal post for her; and Chris Day has recently been appointed Self Supporting Anglican Chaplain at the University - again, an excellent appointment.
One of the major developments during the year was the start of the ministry of Lay Worship Leaders.
We have a team in both Churches, who are growing in confidence as they get used to this new role, and who are exercising a very valuable ministry by sharing in the leading of worship.
This is important partly because it models ways of lay people being involved in the leading of worship - and the more we can encourage people to be confident in sharing their faith, the easier it will be for all of us to learn how to do it; and partly because it is good preparation for a time when we might not be as well staffed as we are now.
The Lay Worship Leader Training Course, during the summer and autumn of last year, was a very helpful experience, I found, and I'm very grateful to all of those who gave so freely of their time to join that course.
We are still developing our idea of what Lay Worship Leadership means for us, and I hope that will be an ongoing exploration for some time to come.
And our Team of Lay Pastors and the Bereavement Support Group continue to offer very valuable ministry in caring for our congregations and for the wider parish.
And, of course, the ministry team is much wider than the ordained ministers, readers and Lay Pastors - Churchwardens, Standing Committee, PCC Members, Secretary, Treasurer, and lots of other people share the work of the Church here. I'm very grateful to all of those who give so generously of their time, in many, many different ways, and support all the different types of ministry we have within the parish.
To be continued next month.