Immanuel and St Andrew's Vacancy Page

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The Life of the Church in the Vacancy
Some notes to help and guide you.

SIMON BUTLER'S DEPARTURE

Over 170 people were in church at Immanuel and St Andrew's on the morning of Sunday 13th June 2004 to say farewell to Simon Butler as vicar. The congregation included a number of visitors who had come specially for the occasion. After Simon had preached and presided at communion he was presented with a cheque for £680 and a book containing photographs and messages from members of the church. A large group of Immanuel members then attended the service at All Saints, Sanderstead, on Wednesday 21st July when the Bishop of Croydon, Rt Revd Nick Baines, licensed Simon as Priest-in-Charge of All Saints and acting Team Rector of the Sanderstead Team Ministry.

Some photos taken at the farewell service are in the column on the left - you can click here for enlarged versions.

THE VACANCY

During the vacancy telephone enquiries about the church can be made via the Parish Office (020 8679 6888), where the answering machine will be checked regularly. More detailed arrangements for the vacancy are given below.

The details which follow are based on the leaflet prepared by Simon before he left, updated as necessary. You can see there something of what has to take place; the process of finding a new vicar will take some time, and there is a lot of other work to be done in the meantime as well. Please continue to pray for all that has to be done in connection with the vacancy and for the future of our church, remembering especially the Wardens, Wendy Aird and the PCC as they face extra work and responsibility.

FINDING A NEW VICAR

The process of finding a new vicar began in June 2004 when the Archdeacon, Ven. Chris Skilton, came to a PCC meeting to explain the procedure. The parish is entitled to appoint two Parish Representatives who sit on the interview panel and who have the right to veto candidates they do not think suitable to the needs of the parish. At that meeting the PCC appointed our churchwardens, Jane Fletcher and Angie Sharma, as our representatives.

A Parish Profile describing the parish and a Person Specification and Job Description were drawn up. They were finalised in early September when our patrons, who have responsibility for finding the new vicar, attended a PCC meeting to discuss them with the Council. Our patrons are the Bishop (represented on this occasion by Chris Skilton), the Rector of Streatham, Revd. Jeffry Wilcox, and Hyndman Bounty Trust, represented by Revd Kim Hitch.

The post was advertised in the Church press and within the Diocese, initially without success, and was readvertised at the end of January 2005. The Parish Profile and other material sent out with it to prospective applicants had been reviewed. Five applications were received and a shortlist of three was drawn up. The shortlisted candidates had an opportunity to visit the parish and meet several members of the ministry team and PCC. The interviews were held on 2nd March, and an appointment was made.

Please continue to pray for all those involved, particularly, of course, for our new vicar, Elizabeth Shearcroft, as she prepares to take up her new appointment. As well as getting ready for her new role there are practical issues - she will be moving home, probably in the week or so before the licensing service, and in the meantime there is work to be done on our vicarage which needs to be completed in good time. For us, there is work to do in preparation - please continue to pray for our wardens, who still have the responsibility for the preparations and the running of the church in the meantime.

We need to give a big vote of thanks to our wardens, Jane Fletcher and Angie Sharma, for all the work they have been doing in order to make the announcement possible, and for their willingness, not only to do the work and spare the time, but also to put up with the many frustrations and anxieties! But, above all, thanks be to God for his provision, and for his guidance in making the appointment, which the wardens believe was so clear when the time came.

There will continue to be updates from time to time on the website, on noticeboards and in 'Open Door' to let you know any new developments. In the meantime it remains our task to go on praying and serving God and our neighbour whether a vicar is here or not. The work of God's kingdom does not depend upon the clergy but on each one of us! What follows are some explanations of some of the issues which may arise and information to tell you how the parish will be run during the vacancy.

WHAT IS 'THE VACANCY'?

When the vicar of a parish leaves, the Church is said to be 'in vacancy'. Some people call it an 'interregnum', but this word implies that it is the vicar's job to 'reign over' a church, which is far from the biblical picture of ministers as servants. A vacancy is a time of change and potential hard work for a congregation but it is also an opportunity for growth and taking stock.

One aspect of the early part of a vacancy is often likened to a bereavement, as those who have valued the ministry of the priest who has left adjust to life without him or her. There is often an adjustment, particularly for those who have worked closely with, or who have valued the care of, the priest who has left. But there is also the important task of seeking God's will for a new priest, who will lead the church into a new phase of its life.

As the leadership consult and prepare for the selection of a new vicar, there is much to think and pray about. Finally, once the new vicar has been chosen, there is all the excitement of welcoming him or her, and his/her household.

WHO'S IN CHARGE?

There is no doubt in the rules of the Church of England; when a church is in vacancy, the Bishop is in charge of the parish. He delegates that leadership to the church wardens who, with the help of the Area Dean (formerly known as the Rural Dean) and any assistant clergy in the parish, guide the church through the vacancy. Simon was himself our Rural Dean and his successor is Revd Robert Titley, vicar of All Saints, West Dulwich.

So, at Immanuel, Jenny Keene (who has taken over from Angle Sharma) and Jane Fletcher are the leaders of the church and Revd. Wendy Aird is there to assist them. Wendy will oversee some aspects of the life of the church, and will be particularly focusing on worship and pastoral care.

PASTORAL CARE

The following is a list of those who are available to contact for various aspects of pastoral care, advice and support:

Pastoral Care Team

These people are available to arrange a visit - either by clergy or the Visiting Team:

Revd. Wendy Aird
Theresa Geldart

Baptism Enquiries

Revd. Wendy Aird

Baptism Visiting

Theresa Geldart
Steve Morris

Home Communions

If there is someone who is in hospital, housebound or unable to get to church who would like to receive communion, contact:

Jenny Hull

Funeral Arrangements

For a funeral in church or at the crematorium contact:

Revd. Wendy Aird

THE PARISH OFFICE and ADMINISTRATION

THE PARISH OFFICE is normally open from 9.30am until 11:30am on Thursdays. At other times, Susan can be contacted on her home telephone number, which is available to Church members in the Church Address Book & Prayer Diary.

OPEN DOOR. Items for inclusion in 'Open Door' should be sent to Susan, by email (sengland at ntlworld.com) or through contacting her at home. Wendy will also be receiving items for inclusion (we.aird at btopenworld.com). Items need to be received by early Wednesday evening if they are to be included in the following Sunday's 'Open Door'.

CHURCH HALL HIRING will be dealt with as previously. If a matter of policy or concern is raised, Susan will refer to the Church Wardens.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL will continue to meet regularly every two months, with PCC Teams meeting in the intervening months. Additionally the Wardens will meet with the clergy and administrator on a regular basis.

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Format updated, not content 14 January 2007.

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