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Vicar's monthly letter
The Malvern View

The Diocese of Ripon & Leeds in fact the whole of the Church of England is undertaking a new process of annual Ministerial Development Review for the clergy. I must admit that when I first heard about it I thought “Oh no not more paperwork!” The main thing that is new in this process is that members of St. Luke’s are involved in the review process. With this being new we did not have a review from last year to base it on, so it was suggested that we use the form called the “Section 11”. This was last compiled during the vacancy before I came and was completed in November 2004. I think it is fair to say that all 4 of us who sat together to go through this process found it quite a challenge but at the same time a real encouragement. Of course when you look at a document that contained so many hopes and aspirations for the future there are bound to be a number of things which could be termed failures or disappointments. The flip side to this is how many things have improved and got better and developed.
The form which the representatives of the parish have completed is entitled the Feedback Frame it has four boxes on it, each titled as follows 1) What is working? 2) What isn’t working yet? 3) What is missing? & 4) What is possible?
The process proved to be a really positive one with the feedback frame giving those involved a lot to think and pray about as well as some thoughts for the mission of St. Luke’s. I am sure that different people filling in these different boxes would come to different conclusions and it certainly seems right that we share this with St. Luke’s PCC to help us shape our mission as a whole.
In the Churches calendar we are in the season of Easter when we remember Jesus appearing to his followers in the 40 days after the first Easter. This comes to an end on Ascension Day the 21st May when we remember Jesus ascending to heaven. This is quickly followed 10 days later by the Day of Pentecost (or Whit Sunday) on the last day of this month. This is the day when the Holy Spirit was given to all who asked and is also remembered as the Churches birthday as this is seen when the Christian Church actually began. Even though this must have been the most exciting time in Christian History it is easy as we remember these events for us to be mundane as we remember it. We need to read the passages about Jesus’ appearances and the gift of the Holy Spirit with excitement and really listen to what happened then and pray that something of this will happen to us as well, both as individuals and corporately as St. Luke’s Church.
The mundane of Church life is about to be turned on its head with us now having a start date for beginning work on the Churches roof, we officially start on the 22nd of June with the Scaffold going up the following week then after this the real work beginning. It will be a 20 Week programme so the front of the building covered in scaffolding will become a familiar sight to all those who pass by. It is hoped that throughout this first phase the church will remain open for all the regular activities and Sunday services.
 

Yours in His service
Chris