JULY MESSAGE

In the May edition of the Telescope magazine I reported that Bishop Michael, (Bishop of Lichfield), was going to present to us a candidate for the post of Interim Minister in our benefice.

This has now happened. On Wed 3 JUN this candidate was shown around our five villages and five churches and visited the school in Kinnerley. They also looked over the Rectory.

On Thu 4 JUN there was an Interview Day which began with a Holy Communion service in
St John’s Maesbrook led by Bishop Sarah, (Bishop of Shrewsbury).

Later that day Bishop Sarah, Associate Archdeacon Jo, our Rural Dean and a few people representing our churches met with the candidate. Everything that happened in the interview room is confidential so we cannot report on that. Following on from the interview there are other parts of the process that have to be pursued by the diocese and they could take some time.

We have been told that it might be another 4 to 6 weeks before we will learn whether an appointment has been made or not. So we all need to be patient until we learn the outcome of the process. In the meantime we cannot share any information about the candidate’s name or where they are from or anything about them.

Please continue to pray for our five churches during our time of vacancy. We meet to worship each Sunday, we wait patiently and we hold on to God’s promises.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV

Brian Turner … Churchwarden St Mary’s Knockin.