Colour Supplement

Articles by Christians around the world

Sunday 27 January 2008

 

Looking forward to 2008

by Revd Jim Cox, Vicar of St. Andrew's Church Taunton

 

 

Having only just started to settle in myself here at St Andrews, 2008 will hopefully be a year to build on the work of previous vicars and also of the team who guided the parish through the vacancy.

 

Children’s work both within the church and the school will be a priority and to this end the Church Mice have been re-launched. We will continue to develop our relationships with our partner-churches in the Local Ministry Group (St Peters, All Saints and Holy Trinity) and look at ways to grow in faith and fellowship together.

 

One project that has been on hold for a while has been the review of the patterns of worship. It is time for that process to begin. The strap-line on parish publications here is “Serving God in the heart of our Community”. This is an outward focus, emphasising that a parish church exists for all the residents of the parish not just the regular worshippers. Each generation needs to discern how this can best be done, but at the very least it means all are welcome to worship on a Sunday or request to have the sacrament at home; all who live within the parish boundary have the right to be baptised, married and, indeed, have a funeral here. It is our responsibility as a church to offer these services in a sensitive and appropriate manner without making people feel uncomfortable in any way. This is your church and you will find a welcome here.

 

With Easter being so early this year we kick off at a fair old pace. The Christmas feeling continues to Candlemas which we are observing on 3^rd Feb and Lent begins a few days later with Ash Wednesday on the 6^th. I would like to encourage you all to enter into this holy period with enthusiasm. It can be an opportunity for  great growth in any journey of faith and if we find we are able to give it just a little of our extremely precious time we will be richly rewarded.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact the parish office or the vicarage to find out more.

 

Every blessing.

Jim           

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