From the Vicarage...
Dear All,
We have an exciting
time ahead of us – and some challenges!! Starting positively, we have our 150th
anniversary coming up (May 27th is the anniversary of laying the
foundation stone and January 2016 is the anniversary of the consecration). We have
lots to celebrate! Please add any ideas on the new display boards in The Old
School for our PCC meeting on 8th May.
It is also really
encouraging to hear that the Diocese is lifting the suspension on the parish.
This means they are confident that we can continue to thrive moving forward and
gives us greater stability. I will be relicensed as Vicar (I am currently
Priest in Charge) sometime soon. It is a wonderful reminder of the amazing
things God has done over many years here in Tongham. This is also such an
affirmation of the St Paul’s church family and the wonderful growth that has
taken place.
And the challenges!
Maintenance featured heavily over the winter months as the particularly wet and
stormy weather exposed many areas that had been neglected for too long. We have
been sorting guttering and damp. The roof in The Old School has been sorted and
the tiles fixed around the edge of the church roof. Sadly this has highlighted
that the batons, probably originals, are rotten, which is why we are beginning
to see so many tiles coming off in the stormy weather. So moving forward the
PCC will have many decisions to make on further maintenance and also improving
access to the church via the porch.
So please be praying
for our new PCC. You can see agendas and notes of our discussions in the
newsletter each month or the full minutes are at the back of church in a
folder. Keep informed and feed back thoughts and comments so that the PCC can
truly listen to God, listen to the views of all and prayerfully come to wise
decisions. (Our new PCC is listed inside
under PCC News)
And a huge thank you to
Betty, Paul, Karen, Mike and Alan who all finished their time on PCC at the
APCM. We have had a fantastic PCC; with open discussions, lots of helpful
comments and prayerful consideration, improving decisions in a positive
atmosphere – with lots of laughter and cake along the way!
Claire
