Monthly Magazine and Events

Dear Friends

July for me begins with the Manchester Diocesan Clergy Conference – on 5^th  until 7^th.  There was an article about it in the May edition of ‘Crux’ which you probably don’t remember! Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham, will be speaking about having confidence in Scripture, in ministry and in the future.  Dave Hopwood will speak on similar themes in the evenings, using media and film.  There will be a choice 10 seminars from which participants are able to choose 2.  My first choices are reflecting on ministry with fine art images and Scripture, and thinking more deeply with Bishop Wright on his addresses.  But I may not get my first choices!  I have mixed feelings about Clergy Conferences – like other people, we can all be very defensive – in our case, about how we understand God and His Ways, and what ‘we have achieved’ in our parishes.  Fortunately, there’ll be a chance to visit the Midland Railway Exhibition nearby on the Tuesday afternoon! Please pray for the speakers, for me and for everyone else that the Conference will help us in our ministry to you and all residents of the diocese.

On 27^th July our Churchwardens, May and Graham and I take part in the Archdeacon’s Visitation which the Area Dean and Deanery Lay Chair, David Penny and Alan Armitage, will conduct on her behalf.  This should take place every 5 years but has not done so recently.  This is not the same as the architect’s Quinquennial Inspection of the building, though we will review progress on the fabric since the last inspection.  Also we will review access for disabled people, security and insurance, Child Protection and other legal requirements.  Part 2 is under the headings of Bishop Nigel’s vision for the diocese – that congregations grow, that giving increase and that communities be served.  We shared these questions with our Church Council. For example, under the last heading, we are asked the question ‘What place does your church have in the local community?’ We replied that the church is important in the local community because of the school and the Tudor Community Sports’ Group, and because both white people and Asians value us.

Other dates: 8 July, 3.15 – 4.15, School Summer Fair. 19 – 23 July, HolidayClub.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Dawson

Priest in Charge 

Current priorities of St Thomas’- as agreed by Church Council, September  2004

1.  Evangelism/Church Growth out of love for people and because we need new members.

2.  Worship, including Sunday School, Healing, Prayer and Music.

3.  Witness to Asians through individual friendships and through shared work with the community.

4.  Presence, that is letting people know that C of E Christians live and/or worship on the Coppice.

5.  Working with St Paul’s, as we have been requested by the Diocese.