General Vestry Address
Below is a transcript of the Rector’s Address to the General Vestry, which was held on Tuesday 12th March 2024
General Vestry Address 2024
Every single day of our lives we make journeys. All of us had to make a journey to get here this evening. Today I have made several journeys. Some on foot, and some in my car. We can even make a journey without leaving our homes – by simply moving from one room to another.
Some journeys are familiar to us, and we could even make with our eyes closed, and other journeys are more daunting and uncertain, not quite knowing which way we should be going. We will never get anywhere by staying still and not moving in one direction or another. When making a journey we know for sure from where we have started, and in most cases we know the place where we would like to arrive. It is often the bit between the commencement and the arrival locations that can be uncertain.
In the Book of Exodus we are reminded of the journey which the Children of Israel undertook as they made their way from Egypt to the Land flowing with Milk and Honey which God had promised to them. To get there they stepped out in blind faith. They knew exactly where they started out from (and on many occasions grumbled that they would like to return), and knew where their journey would end, but to get there they travelled for 40 years in the wilderness simply following the cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, which was given by God to lead them on the journey.
Though Moses had lead them faithfully through the wilderness to the edge of the promised land, the leadership passed to Joshua, who had the task of bringing the children of Israel safely over the river Jordan to the inheritance that God had promised.
Life was not always easy of Joshua, often being faced with many challenges, opposition, battles and burdens. However, even when the task must have seemed impossible, Joshua did not waver, and was resolved to always following the Lord.
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’” Joshua 24:15
The Joshua ‘resolve’ is as relevant today as it was 1130BC. Joshua was determined that no matter what was coming against him, or the faithful amongst the children of Israel, that they needed to be fully dedicated to the Lord. The Church of God today needs to always keep Joshua’s statement at the fore of our minds. “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”.
As I look back over the past 12 months since we last met as a General Vestry, and as I look to the Future, I can see glimpses of how, as a Church, and as your Rector, we have been striving to keep God in the centre of everything we do as we have been encouraged to “Seek, Share and Serve the Lord”.
Looking to the Past as we give Thanks
During the past year we have been involved in many initiatives which have encouraged us to reach out to those who are currently walking the broad road and encouraging them to journey with us along the narrow road.
The grounds around the Rectory have once again provided the ideal location for some events. In May we gave Parishioners and Friends the opportunity to come together to watch and celebrate the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camila. The sense of togetherness was lovely as we watched, shared in food and fellowship together.
Then in June the marquees were erected again in the Rectory grounds as we came together for a Parish Celebration weekend. The three days of events, when we were also blessed by the ministry of friends from Nigeria and Australia, provided a wonderful opportunity for the Parish to come together with the common desire to Seek, Share and Serve, the Lord.
In September, we were blessed to have Bishop David and Rev. Gregg Downes with us for the Hungry Weekend. Through their ministry, both gentlemen really challenged us in our own personal walk with the Lord.
Also in September we saw the commencement of a new Ladies Fellowship Group in the Parish. While this group was primarily a replacement for Mothers’ Union, it is good to see the ladies of the Parish come together for fellowship.
In October, 8 candidates publicly declared their faith in the Lord Jesus and stated their own desire to follow Joshua’s statement of “As for me, I will serve the Lord”. This was a very special and personal moment for us as a Parish.
November saw what has become now the annual Christmas Craft Fair in this Hall. Then in December St. Patrick’s opened its doors for 5 days for the Christmas Tree Festival. In both these events it was lovely to see the community coming through our doors and engaging with us.
January seemed to be the month when most Baptisms took place. I had the pleasure of Baptizing 2 infants and two adults in the one month. In a three week period that was the most I had ever done.
Just three weeks ago we hosted the Re-Start Mission. I wish to publicly acknowledge and commend the work of the Mission Team, who prayed, sought the will of the Lord, thought, brain stormed, planned, organized and coordinated the 8 days of Missional Events. For me, in my own personal walk with the Lord, this week was a week of emotional blessing. It was a real privilege for the team, and myself to witness numerous people respond to the call to restart their life in Jesus. I am so thankful for the faithful ministry of Bishop Ken, Paul and Ali.
As we give thanks for the past we Look in the Present with Praise
At the Celebration event held in the Parish Hall on the Friday after the Mission there was a real sense of how God has been blessing us. A word that was continually used was “buzz”. Since the Re-start week there has been a real buzz and desire to see the momentum, which was created during the mission, nurture and grow. During the week, the team were continually drawn to Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”. As we continue to consider the blessings, we add to that, the sentiments of St. Paul in verse 21 “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Everything that we do should be to the Praise and Glory of God, continually ensuring that the name of Jesus is lifted high.
As a Parish we are indebted to the valuable contribution many parishioners make to the life and witness of the Church, especially in the area of sharing the faith with our younger members. To the Sunday School team, GB and BB Leaders and Helpers, and the different Youth Club teams, thank you so much for your time and energy.
On the build-up to the Mission the numbers who attended the weekly prayer meeting grew. Prayer is the powerhouse of the Church, and without prayer, we are missing the engine room. The different House Groups continue to meet for prayer, fellowship, and fun, and I would encourage as many parishioners as possible to link with these groups.
Not only is mission important at home, but it is also important to support overseas projects as well. Last Year’s Lent Appeal helped support the Soup Kitchen’s in Lima. The link with Rev. Anderson and his family is continuing to develop and we are blessed by them as they are blessed by us. This year the ongoing project is supporting the persecuted church in Yemen. I am thankful to Edith Tumilty who planted the seed in my own mind for this project and for the Vestry who agreed to support it.
So what next? Well, Looking to the Future, we Trust in God.
No one ever really knows what the future holds. However, as we continue to seek, share and serve the Lord in this Parish, we continually look to Him for guidance.
In June this year I will celebrate 15 years in Ordained Ministry. As I look back on my Ordination Service I am continually reminded of a line from the ordinal “Because none of us can bear the weight of this ministry in our own strength, but only by the grace and power of God, let us pray earnestly for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit…”
I want to personally thank each person who intentionally prays for me in my role as your Rector. Your prayerful support and encouragement is very much appreciated.
In order to further support the ministry of the Parish I have invited a small team of parishioners to join me on a Ministry Steering Group. Their role, at my invitation, will be to assist me with the Spiritual oversight of the Parish.
As a Parish, we are also delighted that Margaret Holland has successfully completed the Parish Reader Course and is currently undertaking the Diocesan Reader course. Margaret we wish you God’s blessing as you continue your studies in CITI.
Further to this, as no curate was appointed last year to the Parish, Bishop David has included the Parish in the years Curacy round, and I will update the Vestry on this process in due course.
After the success of the Platinum Jubilee Weekend and last year’s Celebration Weekend at the Rectory, I would propose that we consider the possibility of doing something along these lines again in the early summer season.
As we continue to seek opportunities to grow in our faith, I intend to offer a short discipleship course on “who we are and what we Believe”. The numbers of this course will be restricted to a maximum of 6 – 8 people, and can be run as many times as is needed. We will cover topics such as:
What does it mean to be an Anglican?
What are the 39 Articles?
What is sacramental worship?
What difference did the reformation make?
More details on this will be available in the near future.
Trip to Israel – As you know I should currently be leading a pilgrimage to Israel, however due to the ongoing conflict in that region, this has been postponed until March 2025.
As I conclude, I want to say thank you to a number of people.
Margaret and Andrew for their help in assisting with Worship. To Rev Jim McMaster and Dougie for covering services while I have been on leave.
Nigel, and the Parish Praise Group for enhancing our worship with the ministry of Music
Esther Coleman for organising the Readers and Intercessors at Public Worship, Margaret for doing the same at our monthly Family Service in Holy Trinity. To everyone who helps with providing catering in the Parish at the different events and services and to those who make up the rotas for that.
Outgoing Church Wardens and Glebewardens, and the Select Vestry
To Victoria as Hon. Secretary and Kenneth as Hon. Treasurer.
While it is not my intention to leave anyone out, I do appreciate everything that is done by the large band of volunteers who help make this Parish the wonderful place it is.
As we continue in our quest and desire to Seek, Share and Serve the Lord, it gives me great pleasure to conclude this my 3rd General Vestry Report.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord - To God be the Glory, great things He has and continues to do in our midst.