Dear Friends,
How wonderful it is to be writing this letter with the news that we have appointed a new incumbent (vicar.) The Rev Toby Webber will be licensed to the parish of Saint George and All Saints’ at 7:30pm on Wednesday 29th July in St George’s Church. Unfortunately, the announcement was made too late for the April Magazine; but hopefully most of you will already have heard by now. So let’s fill the church and give Toby and his family a great welcome!
Furthermore, just to give you a little background. Toby, who originates from Devon, is currently vicar of St James’s, Altham, in the Accrington Deanery. Toby has been vicar there since September 2015. He is also currently an Assistant Archdeacon, and was previously Chaplain to the Bishop of Blackburn. Toby was ordained in Blackburn in 2002, then served his curacy at St Laurence’s in Chorley; before moving on to St Aidan’s in Bamber Bridge. Toby has spent all his ministry in Lancashire. He is married to Rebecca and they have three children; Annabel, Gideon and Aiden.
May is still the season of Easter in the church calendar, up to and including the 24th which is Pentecost. So in our worship, we continue to thank God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and then celebrate what the church recognises as its birthday. Pentecost is the coming of the Holy Spirit as tongues of flame on the disciples, and they then go out into the world to spread the good news.
We have the same call as they did, as that wonderful Easter hymn says, “We have a gospel to proclaim, good news for all throughout the earth.” Some of us are called to preach the good news as ministers, but we are ALL called to proclaim the good news that Jesus died and rose again for us, by living lives after his example. Sounds hard doesn’t it!? How can we follow what Jesus has done? Well, He himself told us what to do in just two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength. And the second is this – love your neighbour as yourself.”
If we all did that, and spread that around, then maybe those in authority and those who hold power over peoples’ lives just might take the hint! So let us start with our own church family. Over the last year, without a vicar, many of you have had to take on more responsibilities and challenges, and it hasn’t always been easy at times. Relationships can be strained, which is not unusual in a vacancy.
Remembering then, the challenge of Pentecost, as we received the Holy Spirit through our confirmation; and at every eucharist recalling the sacrifice of Jesus; we must re-energise our duty to love one another as he loves us. We work for Jesus Christ and his Father’s purposes for us. Let us renew our Confirmation vow…”Do you turn to Christ as saviour?” “I turn to Christ.” The vows end with this prayer: “May God, who has given you the desire to follow Christ, give you the strength to continue in the Way.”
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia! Rev Peter Smith.