October 24 - Monthly Message

Dear Church Family,

 

This morning the staff team went out for breakfast -something we’re going to try and do on a regular basis as part of the practice of eating with others. It was good to reconnect as a team after a whole month of not being all in the same place at the same time. We were able to share some of the things that were encouraging us, and what we were seeing God do in our midst as a church. 

Many of you will know that I start meetings with the invitation to reflect on what’s encouraging or what we see God doing in the life of our church. The reason for this, is that it’s easy to become discouraged or bogged down with the negative, and yet thankfulness and the practice of dwelling on what is good and needs celebrating stops this from happening. My desire is that we become a church that is full of joy and thankfulness. What can we be praising God for in this moment? I believe there is much we can be thankful for.

 

Children’s Ministry

Megan has now started her chaplaincy days in Milldown and Archbishop Wake primary schools after her induction with the Bridge Project up in Salisbury. Please do be praying for her as she beds into the two unique school communities and starts to discern how she can make a difference.

 

In the meantime, we have seen an increased number of children coming along on Sunday across September. It’s a small but noticeable increase that makes a difference, and for that we praise God, and we continue to pray for more growth and a greater reach into our wider community.

 

Alpha

We kicked off the Alpha course last week with a bumper number of people attending. This week there’s a possibility we could be welcoming 30 guests. If you’d said to me at the beginning of the term that we would welcoming that many people to Alpha I would have not believed you. But yet God is blessing us and with that comes a responsibility to be good stewards. So please do be praying for the attendees and the team that God would be at work over the next few weeks as the course continues.

 

Harvest

This Sunday at the 10am Monthly Combined Service we’re celebrating Harvest, and the provision of God in our lives. We’re asking everyone to bring donations for Nourish with them as their harvest offerings. The list of items they particularly need is in Weekly News.

 

Giving for Growth

Over the month of October we’re inviting everyone who considers themselves to be a member of BFPC to prayerfully review their giving to God and the church. This isn’t because we’re about to go broke, but because as we grow, the costs of what we do have increased. We are also conscious that we need to keep investing in mission and ministry to continue growing as a church community. Please take time to read the booklet that is being sent out with this message and the weekly news, and then prayerfully consider how you might play a part in this as a member of the church community. 

 

Building for the Future

This week a number of us came together on Tuesday evening to start the discussion on what is needed from our church building in order to make it fit for mission and ministry in the future. As I’ve said a number of times already, we’re already experiencing difficulties with the current configuration which are hindering growth. Ideally we need a building which enables growth and flexibility, and so we are asking everyone to play a part in this discussion. The output from this exercise will only be useful if it reflects the diversity of thoughts and opinions from within the church community. 

 

In due course we also will be engaging with the wider community (including the schools) in regards to  what they think about the building and how it could be better enabled for use of the whole community. We hope that this process will help us discern what it is we actually need the building to enable before we start designing a solution.

 

Coming Up…

Over the coming month we have a couple of one-off events happening. As a church we’re hosting the annual Dorset Legal Service which is when the High Sheriff (who I am chaplain to for the year) says thanks to all those involved in the legal and judicial professions such as Judges, lawyers, law enforcement etc. It would be helpful if a few church members could assist with welcoming and technology? Please do let Tina know if you’re able to help at 3pm on 27th October?

 

On the same evening we’re holding our annual Light Party, giving children a healthier option to Trick or Treating. Megan has got a team together and this year we’re hosting 2 parties in quick succession. One for Reception to Yr2 and another for Yr3-6’s. If you’re able to assist her with welcoming children from across our community (subject to DBS and Safeguarding Training), please do let her know.

 

News from myself…

This year I have been voted on as a clergy rep for the Milton and Blandford Deanery (a grouping of parishes in this area) for the Diocesan Synod (large body of representatives from across diocese) which allows me to represent us and other parishes (along with Sara Loch who is a lay rep). In addition to this my clergy colleagues on Diocesan Synod have voted me to be a member of Bishop’s Council (Board of Directors for Diocese of Salisbury). This means that I will have a part in shaping the strategic direction of travel for the diocese. Whilst I feel this is something I am called to do, it does not mean that I will be absent from Blandford Forum. My first priority is to be the minister here and to be present to the church community. Please do be praying for me as I fulfil this role – that I might have wisdom to ask the right questions and to be silent when I need to be.

 

Next year I will celebrate 10yrs of ordained ministry, and as per guidance I have asked +Karen for a sabbatical and she has agreed. It seemed like a good moment to take it as Will will be 2 years into his curacy and is more than capable of taking the lead in my absence. I will have been in post here a little over 3 years, and we hope that my post will be made permanent in due course, and if that happens then I want to start the next chapter with fresh energy and vision – and so it seems good to step back and find time for that. In practical terms I will absent from BFPC between June and August 2025

 

In regards to my tenure, +Karen has already agreed to extend my license as interim-Priest in Charge for another 3 years from Jan 25, and the Wardens and PCC are engaging with +Karen and the Diocese of Salisbury in regards to a more permanent arrangement. Please do be praying for them and for discernment as to the way forward for Blandford Forum Parish.

 

Many Blessings

 

Chris