Following a meeting on 7th May involving the PCCs of St Andrew with Holy Cross and of St Martin of Tours, along with the Rt Rev Adam Atkinson, Bishop of Bradwell, and Rev Sue Lucas, Archdeacon of Southend,
it has been agreed that:
• the two parishes should behave as if the plurality order, which brought the two parishes together, is no longer in place.
• Rev Trudy Arnold has been given authority by Bishop Adam to act as Focal Minister and Pastoral Lead for our parish.
• Rev Jonathan Evens will provide a listening ear and support for Rev Trudy, who is self-supporting and therefore part-time.
• The Archdeacon will review how the new arrangements are going in both parishes in September.
• The Area Dean will chair our APCM on Sunday 25th May at St Andrew’s.
Rev Tim Brampton is having knee surgery and, including the recovery period, will not be at work for about 12 weeks. Rev Barry Johnson has been given authority by Bishop Adam to act as Focal Minister and Pastoral Lead at
St Martin’s for the duration of his absence.
Bishop Adam suggested that we should use the following prayer over the next few months as we consider the future of the leadership of our parish:
Almighty and ever-living God,
we pray that by your Holy Spirit,
love will keep on growing more and more,
together with true knowledge and perfect judgement,
so that this parish will be able to choose what is best.
May we be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ,
filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce.
This we ask not for ourselves alone but for the sake of your Kingdom.
In your Holy Name
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen