I have now been Rector of Kirklington, Burneston, Wath and Pickhill for two years. Not long after I started working in these parishes we held an Open Meeting in Kirklington Village Hall for all those interested in the life of our churches to come and meet with me as the new Vicar and to discuss some priorities for my ministry. Those priorities were Sunday Services, Pastoral work, Prayer and Outreach. I also described some of the realities about starting a new post, how it takes a while for a new incumbent to get to know people and for people to get to know the new incumbent. I suspect that for a time congregations react out of habit and expectation as if to their previous Vicar, and Vicars for the same reasons as if to their previous congregations. I don’t think this process of mutual understanding is ever quite over, but I do think we understand each other better now. It was interesting for me meeting and working with the Venerable Clive Mansell at the funeral of Santa Fitch Peyton as he was Vicar of these parishes for many years and so people got to know him very well. There is no substitute for the passing of time and experiences in building up relationships.
Speaking of time and experiences, I am glad to report St Lambert’s Burneston is back in use for Sunday services. The new boiler is installed although the heating system is still a challenge as the radiators and pipe work remain inadequate. The congregation was back in St Lambert’s for Mothering Sunday when prayers of thanksgiving were offered standing by the boiler house (see picture). Grateful thanks must be extended to all who contributed to the installation of the new boiler and special thanks to the congregation of Carthorpe Methodist Chapel who welcomed us during our sojourn there, they were a true example of Christian hospitality and friendship. Ultimately the mission of the Church in these parishes can only be realised by everyone working together in cooperation, ministers, congregations, denominations and parishioners under the guidance of scripture and the Holy Spirit.
Thank you
Stephen
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