Dear Friends,

As a number of people weren’t around for the Presentation of Christ the PCC have asked that I print in the magazine my sermon for that Sunday which reflects on how I see St. Matthew’s.I hope it is of use, and please feel free to disagree with anything I have said.

“As today’s theme of The Presentation of Christ is somewhat reflective – looking back for the last time this year to Christmas but with an eye to where God is leading in the future, I thought it might be an ideal time to do some reflecting myself on our parish.When I arrived in the Benefice, just over a year ago, I said I didn’t want to have to make any changes for the first year – the reason for this was I that wanted to get a feel for the parish, get a sense of its history, get into the rhythm of parish life here, and get to know people.

Many of the PCC tease me about this, especially as we had to change the service times, and I’m sure there have been other changes that you have noticed, changes that were inevitable if for no other reason than I am me and not Lindsey; but now that a year has passed I offer the following as my reflection on what sort of church we are, [and some questions that we might want to address in due course].

First impressions of a church and its members are always an important thing – for visitors and those looking for a church to worship in on a regular basis.I would say that we are a friendly church, which is aware of making people feel welcome.It’s always different for the vicar and his family as a congregation naturally welcomes them, but from what I have seen, and from what friends who visit have told me, we are a welcoming bunch.However, because we are a large congregation we need to be ever mindful of how we can be constantly aware of people who haven’t been for a week or so and of looking out for people we don’t know.It is well documented that congregations of over 100 have to think carefully about how to care for visitors and members alike.

The worship here is good and on the whole well attended.As with most churches there are a some who would like the worship to be slightly more Anglo-catholic – more high church and some who would like it to be less – but I think on the whole we strike a happy medium.The worship pattern for some is weekly (or more), for others fortnightly and for a few monthly or occasionally.We have a good mix of ages in the congregation – especially at this service and I hope that we reflect that in the choice of hymns and in the liturgy.With such a large number of children and young people attending church, youth and children’s work in the parish is essential – and we are very fortunate to have a good and talented group of people who look after this aspect of ministry.We do benefit a little from the Crompton House and Blue Coat factor here, and this is a joy and opportunity for us.

As most of us who meet to celebrate the Eucharist on a Wednesday were brought up on the BCP I have suggested we use the prayer book on the 1^st Wednesday of the month – this might be appropriate at the 8.15 service on a Sunday too.Other occasional midweek evening services are not always so well attended, but with so many people with young children and with work and other commitments taken into consideration we don’t do too badly.Evensong has a small but faithful congregation and I would like us to think of ways to increase numbers here.A new service that will be starting later this year on a Sunday evening is a healing service – and I will say more about what a healing service is about during lent.We have a very able choir who do a marvellous job under the direction and leadership of our choirmaster and organist, and we have a number of gifted young musicians too, who are in the background.Worship is always something we do together – we all celebrate at a Holy Communion – not just the priest at the front, which is something I am always mindful of.

The fabric and finances of the church are in reasonable shape.My article in the magazine talks about the finances for this coming year so fear not I’m not going over that.But I would like to say this: we have a generous congregation.I have been amazed during the year with how much money has been raised for specific projects.The boiler (although before my time is often mentioned as an example of generosity) and this year we have had money pouring in for work on the roof and pathways to name just two things.The day to day finances are of course a worry, and are always on the PCC agenda, but in 2008 we may need to think about them in greater detail.

The fabric of the church is OK – but there are items that need to be tackled this year as a matter of urgency and then a rolling programme of repairs as suggested by the quinquenial inspection put into place for years to come.

We have a beautiful church that is well kept.A church that is warm and intimate.It is a good resource, and a pleasure to worship in.There are a number of people who give freely of their time and talents to keep it in such good order and make sure that it is ready for worship on a Sunday.It is a real joy not to have to spend Saturday mornings cleaning and setting up – as some clergy do.And when odd jobs on the fabric of the church need doing there are people who willingly do it.Work on the pathways, covering the heating pipes and making stools are just 3 examples of the sort of thing I mean.What this, and everything I haven’t mentioned, adds up to is a team that works well.As we heard in last week’s epistle that is what the church, the body of Christ, you and me, is all about.Us all working together for the good of God’s Kingdom.

The social life of St. Matthew’s is healthy.One of the things people mentioned to me during the summer garden parties was much they valued the sense of community at St. Matthew’s.Our life together, how we support and encourage one another – or to use a phrase of St. Paul’s – how we “build one another up in Christ” is important.Worship is too, but without a life together outside of worship we are just a group of people who worship in the same building.I was heartened to hear many people say that St. Matthew’s is more than that, that it is a community in relationship.The social committee and the events they organise,  the flower arranging group, the dress making group, the uniformed organizations, the MU, the day school (of which people are rightly proud) and all the other activities that happen outside of Sunday morning worship are valuable and valued.Every parish church should be an integral part of the wider community, and I think that St. Matthew’s is.

So, there are my reflections on where I think we are as a parish.You may disagree with some or all of what I’ve said, and that’s fine, after all these are only my perceptions, your may well be different, and I am always happy to hear your views about our church.But, what of the future? Where is God leading us?

Well, in the short term our main focus will be the 150^th celebrations.This will start in earnest in the Autumn term with a flower festival on our patronal festival and end with a big party and Songs of Praise on the weekend of the 16^th – 18^th of November.And in between there will be many other events, so kept an eye on the magazine and website.

In the mid to long term the PCC and I will be thinking and praying about where God is leading us.As there are so many very positive aspects to our life and ministry here I think it will be more a case of developing what already happens and introducing one or two new things over time to react to the growing life of our community.I will continue to encourage people to think about formal and informal vocations – a church with this size of congregation should be producing some people offering themselves for accredited ministry; I would like to us to think about enabling one another to grow in knowledge and love of God – something that has come out of the last two confirmation groups.One thing I was reminded of recently whilst on a course was that we have time to do things at a measured pace, and therefore don’t need to do everything in a year or two.Many people have either directly or indirectly asked how long we are likely to stay in the parish – an understandable question.Well, it would be difficult to give a definitive answer to the question; but I can say this: As long as you are happy with me, and if it is God’s will, we could stay here for many years – I have another 30 years of full time ministry ahead before I have to retire and we would hope to stay here at least till Hannah has finished her schooling and hopefully longer than that.We, as a family, like very much, this parish and benefice.It is warm, friendly and vibrant.And as we remember today the Presentation of Christ in the temple we pray that we may have the faith and patience of Simeon and Anna to trust in God, giving thanks for his many blessings, looking towards the future and all that God lays before us.”

Yours in Christ

David Penny

Creation date : 16/04/2007 - 21:47
Last update : 16/01/2009 - 21:43
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