St Mary The Virgin Horsell

Vacancy Updates

Vacancy Prayer: God our Father, you have welcomed each of us in Jesus and called us to be in His Body in this place. Send us your Holy Spirit, at this time of uncertainty and change, to fill us with vision and energy, and faithfulness in prayer, that we may be true to our calling to bring new life to our community. Guide with your heavenly wisdom those who are to choose a new incumbent for this parish, that he/she may be a wise and gentle shepherd of your people; ready to serve us with joy, to build us up in faith, and to lead us by example in loving obedience to your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday 26th January:

As many of you will know various legal requirements occur during a Vacancy. As a result of this a small Management Team has been set up to meet once a month. Each member has been chosen because of their area of responsibility in the church:

  • Michael Couper & Pam Rowe - Churchwardens
  • Marcus Brookfield - Children & Families Worker, including Messy Church
  • Helen Gravette - Parish Administrator
  • Jennifer Richards - Welcome Team, Messy Church
  • Rev Peter Brown - Associate Minister
  • Rev Jonathan Thomas - Area Dean

We have had two meetings so far and we have reviewed and discussed the following items:

  1. Rotas for all services and regular church activities
  2. Arrangements for future PCC Meetings and the APCM
  3. Plans for a Vision Workshop led by the Diocesan Missioner David Senior
  4. How the Vacancy affects Faculty process
  5. How the Vacancy affects plans for the St Andrew's Room extension

The collective task of the Management Team is to:

  • Be faithful in praying for the life of the church during the vacancy
  • Ensure that worship is maintained to a high standard
  • Ensure that life groups or home groups are maintained
  • Ensure that pastoral care of parishioners is maintained
  • Ensure that safeguarding policies are monitored and maintained
  • Co-ordinate the parish diary and especially pastoral offices
  • Ensure that parish administration is maintained
  • Consult with the Area Dean or Archdeacon on any issues of concern

After the Vision Worshop on Saturday 11th January 2020, a small team has been formed to put together the Parish Profile and Statement of Needs:

  • Mike Couper & Pam Rowe
  • Adrian Harvey
  • Jennifer Richards
  • Jenny Spencer
  • Lucy Leach
  • Marcus Brookfield
  • Brian Rowlatt has offered to help with the layout
  • Helen Gravette has offered to type any of the sections

We had our first meeting on Wednesday 22nd January to look at the process and the sections that we are obliged to complete. We also looked at the contributions from the various groups and activities that are so vital to our Church life and growth. Many thanks to those who have produced some valuable information and thoughtful phrases that reflect our busy life at St Mary's.

It is the team's intention to keep the whole congregation informed of the process, as it moves towards the interviews in April.

Please make use of the Vacancy Prayer and specifically pray for the members of the Parish Profile Team.

  • St Mary the Virgin
  • Church hill
  • Horsell
  • Surrey
  • GU21 4QQ

01483 772134
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