23 January 2021

Dear Friends

The lockdown presents real challenges to communicating well. I am missing, as I’m sure you are those informal conversations where we can encourage one another. It can be frustrating and we need patience. And we need to try new things – which is why I am writing to you this evening.

On Monday evening Chartham PCC met by zoom. I am very grateful to the PCC for their continued commitment. It is not easy meeting by zoom! In Monday’s meeting we recognised the constraints of another lockdown and the additional pressures put on everyone in the parishes especially when we don’t know how long it will continue. 

We can help ourselves by practicing gratitude and in the PCC meeting we looked back over Christmas and gave thanks for the energy and ideas that were evident in our planning. Whilst we couldn’t do everything we had hoped for, we did do a few things really well: the outdoor stable, carol service, crib and Christmas Day services and the post-Christmas coffee morning on the Sunday after Christmas Day. All of these helped us in different ways celebrate God with Us.

We hope and pray that we won’t have to wait too long to worship together safely at St Mary’s and throughout the benefice. Church life continues and there are many ways you can take part, and I will be writing about those in the future, including opportunities to be on the PCC. The immediate need is to consider the role of Churchwarden, as Robin is not standing for re-election.  We’ve written the following advert for Churchwarden: 

At St Mary’s Chartham we are looking for a churchwarden who will be a focus for unity; working accountably and collaboratively to encourage everyone in the church use their gifts to enable the church to live and grow. We need churchwardens who will work with the parish priest and other wardens in the benefice to build up the church family. Churchwardens are the senior lay representatives in the parish. Their role involves management, maintenance and mission. 
As an officer of the Bishop it is a privilege to serve your church as warden, working with the PCC to shape the church's mission and service to the community. It is a role of significant responsibility and service, and there are legal requirements for example making sure that the church's safeguarding and health and safety responsibilities are fulfilled. Diocesan training is given. 

Some myths busted:

·         You do not have to mend the gutters but you need to know who to contact if that or other fabric needs attention.
·         You do not have to pay the bills, but you have to make sure the bills are paid.
·         You do not have to preach a sermon but you do have to be prepared to lead a simple service of Morning (or Evening) Prayer if a minister is unable to attend.
·         You do not have to have all the answers about faith or church life but be prepared to work graciously with others to discover them together.

Churchwardens should live in the parish or be on the electoral roll. Should be over 21, confirmed and consent to being appointed. Their term of office is for one year and they may serve for up to six years unless the Annual Meeting resolves otherwise.

Please consider whether God might be calling you to this service to St Mary’s, and contact Robin, Cathy or myself for a further conversation.

Being part of the Christian community is a gift in these challenging times. I encourage you to hold onto the hope that our faith gives us, and in those times when we don’t feel hopeful ourselves give thanks for the stories we find in the bible and in the world around us of people who have found that God is faithful.

I encourage you to continue with our Intentional Prayer (see details on the website). We are half way through, and I would love to know how it is going for you.

I look forward to leading worship for the benefice tomorrow at 10am by zoom; I hope you will be able to join, and enjoy fellowship afterwards in the breakout rooms – we’re still trying these out too!

With every blessing

Louise

Rev Louise Vincer