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The importance of the work that the Link Group is doing cannot be underestimated. I am therefore very grateful for the energy and dedication that you are putting into Vision for Action on the ground. The wonderful news is that already we are seeing that parishes have been inspired and are sharing their ideas and experiences. This is in no small part down to you. So as 2005 draws to a close and a new year beckons I would like simply to express my thanks and wish you a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.
These very important elections will be taking place next year, with elections to Diocesan Boards and Committees later in the year. It is important that people are encouraged to stand and become active participants in our government.
At the Diocesan Synod in October 2005, it was agreed that parishes should be encouraged to become Fair Trade parishes . Many parishes were well under way with this and are now receiving notification from those who are committed to Fair Trade. These include: St Andrews, Bedford; St John's, Harpenden, St Mary's, Watford and St Peter's, Arlesey. Please encourage parishes committed to fai trade to contact do contact Val Geldard so that we can add them to the list.
This national initiative from the Archbishop's Council is encouraging church communities to regsiter Fresh Expressions of Church. For more information visit their website: http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/index.asp?id=1
Now available, and referred to by the Bishops at the Launch meetings of Vision for Action: "Shaping and Sharing Ministry and Mission." Published ahead of time, this manual contains material for 5 sessions on collaborative ministry. It is ior those preparing to become a Team or Group Ministry, United Benefice, Ecumenical Partnership or simply for neighbouring parishes and churches who want to work more closely together. For more information about this free resource contact the Local Minstry Officer, Revd Canon Robin Brown on 01727 818151 or lmo@stalbans.anglican.org
Ministry Development Officer, Revd Canonennis Stamps preached on Advent Sunday on Vision for Action. Read his sermon here
Bridget Adams on Reader Ministry (Windows Media Player required)...listen now
The Bishop of St Albans has released a new CD-R which provides reflections and commentaries on inspirational paintings. For more information visit: http://www.visualprayer.org.uk/
Revd Charlie Royden, Vicar of St Mark's, Bedford, talks about getting grant aid for the church's work in the Community... listen now (Windows Media Player required)
Ann Ashley Cooper describes the restoration of St Faith's Church, Hexton to community and village use. It's a story of faith at work and vision in action... listen now (Windows Media Player required). St Faiths reached the finals of the Ecclesiastical Insurance competition for the development and use of church buildings.
St Barnabas Church, Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead was runner up in the national Ecclesiastical Insurance competition for the development and use of church buildings. Revd Dave Middlebrook, Link Group member said: "The judges were looking for churches which were accessible and usable and we fitted the bill. The church complex is for everybody as well as the regular groups. We have many social events throughout the year and often about half the people attending are regular church goers and the others are from the wider community." For more information about the building contact Dave on 01442 253681 or dave.middlebrook@btinternet.com
On 5th December, there was meeting of all Rural Deans and Lay Chairs which focused on communicating financial information and stewardship. The new Chairman of the Board of Finance, Peter Griffiths gave a major presentation. A report will appear in SeeRound but in the meatime do take the time to speak to your Rural Dean or Lay Chair about the meeting.
Geoff Fletcher, the Diocesan Stewardship Officer, will be making the following visits to PCCs / Finance or Stewardship committees in parishes during December- Pirton, Gadebrige & Warner's End, Watford St Andrew's, Dunstable. He will be preaching at Luton St Andrew's
Dave Green, Diocesan Youth Officer writes, "We are currently updating our website, a result of refocusing our aims in light of Vision for Action. We want to ensure that information on resources and events are easily available to parishes. It will be sometime in the New Year when the new look will be unveiled, but in the meantime do continue to check the website and see what's happening in the Diocese and beyond for young people and their leaders www.voicemail.org.uk Also, do let us know if you are planning any events - as well as publicising these on our website it can act as a prayer resource for others who want to pray for young people in the Diocese."
A multi-sensory day of workshops offering fresh and imaginative ideas about ways of exploring Lent with children aged 7 - 11 years will take place on Saturday 4th February 2006 at Diocesan Office, Holywell Hill, St Albans, 9.30am - 3.30pm, Cost: £12.50pp. Susanna Ainsworth, a freelance consultant who works countrywide with clergy and teachers and specialises in creativity and spirituality, will lead the day. For more information contact: Mrs Eileen Shaw, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans, Herts. AL1 1HE Tel: 01727 818178, Fax: 01727 844469, E-mail: education@stalbans.anglican.org
Following the successful course "The Church School in your Parish", the Schools Team will be running a repeat on 31 January 2005 at Holywell Lodge. Led by the Ven Trevor Reader, Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, and Lilian Weatherley, RE Adviser for the Diocese of Winchester, the course is relevant for those priests with (surprisingly) church schools in their parish. Informative and inter-active, with a good lunch, the course is expected to be popular. Contact Eileen Bigg (01727 818170; schools@stalbans.anglican.org ) for further details.