Celebrating Service …
Dear Friends,
Last month, we celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. At the heart of the celebration was a call to service – as King Charles III stated at the start of the Service in Westminster Abbey, “In (Christ’s) name, and after his example, I come not to be served but to serve.”
One of the enjoyable aspects of my wider role as Area Dean of Framland is to be involved in celebrating the start – or continuation – of different types of service in the life of the Church. For example, it was a joy to be able to attend the Called Together service in Leicester during which Chris and Mike Alexander were licensed as Associate Ministers, and Mike commissioned in his role as Chair of the Diocesan Lay Ministry Council. During this month, I look forward to being with Revd Crystal McAllister at her licensing as Deanery Pioneer Minister during Café Church in Waltham on Sunday 4th and also with Revd Monica Judson at her licensing as Growing Faith Minister at a service in St Mary’s Bottesford on Sunday 25th June. Then, on Monday 26th June, Churchwardens will gather in St Mary’s Melton from across Framland and Goscote Deaneries to be admitted (or re-admitted) for the coming year to serve in the ancient office of Churchwarden. I am certainly grateful for all that the Churchwardens in the Ironstone Family of Churches contribute in different ways to the life of our village churches and communities. And, as they finish their period of office as Churchwardens this year, our particular thanks and appreciation go to Hannah Canham and Sue Peters for their service in Eaton.
It is important to celebrate service, and not take it for granted. Later in the summer, during August, we are planning another Thank You Tea Party (in Waltham Church) to express our gratitude and appreciation to all those who help in many different ways - often behind the scenes during the week - to enable our Ironstone church buildings to be open and welcoming spaces for our village communities. Watch this space!
With every good wish in Christ’s service,
John Barr, Rector
Dear Friends,
Last month, we celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. At the heart of the celebration was a call to service – as King Charles III stated at the start of the Service in Westminster Abbey, “In (Christ’s) name, and after his example, I come not to be served but to serve.”
One of the enjoyable aspects of my wider role as Area Dean of Framland is to be involved in celebrating the start – or continuation – of different types of service in the life of the Church. For example, it was a joy to be able to attend the Called Together service in Leicester during which Chris and Mike Alexander were licensed as Associate Ministers, and Mike commissioned in his role as Chair of the Diocesan Lay Ministry Council. During this month, I look forward to being with Revd Crystal McAllister at her licensing as Deanery Pioneer Minister during Café Church in Waltham on Sunday 4th and also with Revd Monica Judson at her licensing as Growing Faith Minister at a service in St Mary’s Bottesford on Sunday 25th June. Then, on Monday 26th June, Churchwardens will gather in St Mary’s Melton from across Framland and Goscote Deaneries to be admitted (or re-admitted) for the coming year to serve in the ancient office of Churchwarden. I am certainly grateful for all that the Churchwardens in the Ironstone Family of Churches contribute in different ways to the life of our village churches and communities. And, as they finish their period of office as Churchwardens this year, our particular thanks and appreciation go to Hannah Canham and Sue Peters for their service in Eaton.
It is important to celebrate service, and not take it for granted. Later in the summer, during August, we are planning another Thank You Tea Party (in Waltham Church) to express our gratitude and appreciation to all those who help in many different ways - often behind the scenes during the week - to enable our Ironstone church buildings to be open and welcoming spaces for our village communities. Watch this space!
With every good wish in Christ’s service,
John Barr, Rector