Latest Vicar's Letter

Many of you will have already heard the news that I will be retiring at the end of May after 9 years as Vicar of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough. For Dave and me it will be a big change as we move back to Yorkshire. We have both greatly enjoyed being part of the vibrant community in Eaton Bray, Dagnall, Edlesborough and Northall, It has been wonderful to explore a part of the world which was new to us, and to appreciate the local countryside, as well as having access to London. It has been a real privilege to lead the churches at St Mary’s and All Saints’ Dagnall. There have been many highlights and also some tough times, most notably during the Covid Pandemic. I hope to be able to say farewell to many of you before I leave. My final service will be at St Mary’s on Sunday 26th April at 10am- all welcome!

So what happens next? The Church of England has an historic system for the appointment of clergy. The benefice becomes vacant on the date of my retirement. There are a number of stakeholders who will be involved in the appointment process. These include the Patron of the church (which for St Mary’s is the Diocesan Board of Patronage) and representatives of the Diocese, the Deanery and the local parish church. The Church Wardens, and the Parochial Church Council (not to be confused with the Parish Council) will shoulder much of the responsibility for the smooth running of the church during the vacancy. For Dagnall, this will include the District Wardens.

Don’t expect that there will be a new Vicar immediately. Normally all vacancies are advertised, so the timetable needs to allow time for adverts to be placed, applications to be returned to the Bishop’s or Archdeacon’s office, shortlisting to take place, interviews to be held, references to be checked, and once the successful candidate has agreed to take the job, for him/her to give notice in their current parish. The process is likely to take about six to nine months. The most important consideration is to find the right candidate for the post.

Although the time scale may seem quite drawn out, it does present an opportunity for consideration about what sort of gifts the church and parish would like from their next parish priest. Undergirding all the deliberations and discussions, I hope there will be plenty of prayer; prayer that God will bring the right person to be the new Vicar of these villages.

One of the aspects of ministry which has been a blessing to me in all my parishes has been working ecumenically with other Christian denominations. Currently this is the Churches Together in Eaton Bray, Dagnall, Edlesborough and Northall. On Palm Sunday, 29th March we will be doing something different. There will be a short United Service at St Mary’s at 10am. Around 10.30am, we will gather outside Eaton Bray Village Hall before our Walk of Witness to the Salvation Army on Booth Place. There will be refreshments followed by a service at the Salvation Army for those who wish to stay. We are hoping for a donkey to accompany us on our walk! Do join us for any part of our Palm Sunday celebrations.

You can find information about St Mary's Holy Week and Easter services here.

With every blessing, Joy