The Church Of The Holy Rood -- Wool, Dorset, U.K.
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The Church Of The Holy Rood -- Wool, Dorset, U.K.
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During the past ten months there has been much discussion involving Bishop Tim (the Bishop of Sherborne), Alistair Magowan (the Archdeacon of Dorset), and the Clergy and Laity of the Purbeck Deanery Synod, about the future patterns of ministry in the Deanery as a whole. Closer to home, since George’s departure in August last year as Priest in Charge of this Parish, the possibility and desirability of this Parish and the neighbouring Parishes of The Lulworths Winfrith and Chaldon coming much closer together and working together across traditional Parish boundaries has also been the subject of much discussion. This discussion and intent has been prompted by several factors. For a long time now, the emphasis of both Deanery and Parish thinking has been the need to bring more disciples to Christ, and thus into our Churches, and in particular, to present the Gospel more powerfully and effectively to the younger people and families who live in our villages. Falling numbers of men and women offering themselves for the ordained ministry is another factor. This has made it imperative that we look at collaborative ministry in all its aspects - how we work across boundaries; how we may identify and best use the skills of both Clergy and Lay people which are available to us in this process; what the real needs of Parishes are, and so on and so forth. Christian people need to be reminded that ministry is for everyone and not just the clergy. The leadership of every Church, Parish and congregation in the land is the responsibility of that community. Churches need leadership, leadership which will empower the whole congregation as Disciples of Christ, and whose prime responsibility is to bear witness to the Good News of the Gospel. And this is by no means a new and current fashion - the Bible tells us that ministry belongs to the whole people of God by virtue of their Baptism into Christ. We are called to share in the ministry of his Church. This is how we learn and this is how the Body of Christ grows. We shall very shortly be advertising for the post of Priest-in-Charge of Wool. The person we appoint will have prime responsibility for this Parish, but in addition, he/she will have a Deanery role in encouraging vocations, particularly to lay leadership and ministry. To enable us all to work across boundaries and more collaboratively, the new Priest will also be licensed as Curate to The Lulworths, Winfrith and Chaldon. Bob Naylor’s licence as Rural Dean will enable him to minister in Wool, and my license will be extended allowing me to serve as curate in The Lulworths, Winfrith and Chaldon. This is an exciting and challenging time for us all, because we are looking to share leadership, recognise peoples’ gifts, encourage, pray and worship together, all sharing a vision for our Churches in our Communities, and working together to build up the Kingdom of God. Please pray for our Parishes and the wider Deanery as we seek to make this appointment and to move forward in this way.
Judy Hill |
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