Dear all,

As mentioned in yesterday's Newsy Email, here is the Vicar’s Report from our APCM. Though it was written in January, it still rings true...

What a privilege to write the first report from the 49th Vicar of Calverley, a chance to reflect on everything that happened between my installation on the 31st August and the end of 2021. Before celebrating the successes and noting the challenges of the year, let it not go without saying that it has been a joy to be the vicar here – I have found the community in the Church to be welcoming, faithful, friendly, diligent, generous, curious, kind, adaptable and hospitable. Starting our tenure without a working bathroom or kitchen might not be ideal, but the opportunity to be blessed and served by members of the community, to be welcomed into homes to get clean and get fed, set a welcoming tone that we have found to be a hallmark of St. Wilfrid’s, and a tangible glimmer of God’s goodness.

When I arrived, I promised a period of 100 days before making any significant changes, an opportunity to watch and pray. That time was up at Christmas; what did I see? 

Surely one of the hallmarks of St. Wilfrid’s church is the breadth and depth of service of the members of the congregation. That diligence and commitment was evident even before I was installed. While it is not my place to comment at length on the time before my arrival, thanks must be made to all who served in the interregnum, often a time of stress as churches wrestle with unknown futures and try simply to keep the show in the road. Here at Calverley the diligent service of many meant that the church continued to thrive. There are too many people to mention everyone, but special thanks surely are due to Sandra and Dan as wardens, our retired clergy Rev’ds Paul and Sue, our Licenced Lay minister John, as well as outgoing curate Sue and Rev’d Robin Gamble. To all others who preached, prayed, mowed and weeded, cleaned, made coffee, organised forms, attended PCC, led worship, wrestled with technology, raised money, tended animals, engaged with kids, and gave of their time and money performing myriad acts of service large and small – I know I am not alone in cherishing you and what you bring to this branch of the Kingdom of God. You are seen, and we are all grateful.

I see a church family which thrives on variety, which delights me. To stand amid those ancient stones on the afternoon of Christmas eve with wardens throwing chocolate bars at people as we retold the nativity story, and then hours later stand in that same space in solemn candle-lit quiet, was the epitome of the gracious way worship is approached here. Formality and informality are given equal time and value, hymn players keep company with drummers, messy church and Remembrance Day matter equally – and that breadth is cherished. This is key to our calling to create space where people can find that God has already found them, and I am sure we will build on this culture.

I see that same approach in the decisions which have been made as we emerge from COVID-tide, a gracious openness to what might be resurrected and what to leave behind. There is an evident love of what has gone on before alongside a willingness to try new things. It has been a delight to see a worship band start to play on Sundays, to see people join in contemplative worship over candles and incense at our midweek communions, to see online Morning Prayer videos continue after lock-down – shifting to a less frequent model from a still-expanding team.

That brings us to Christmas, and no-one does Christmas like Calverley! While restrictions meant it was necessarily abbreviated, it was a delight to see the church filled to capacity so often, to see schools come, to see Christingles lit, to gather, to mourn, to sing (with masks on!), to shop, to celebrate, to read and pray whatever our age, as we retold together the powerful story of the God we love and follow becoming man in Palestine all those years ago.

Christmas also brought home how well connected we are to the community around us, a connection we see at coffeeshop, in baptisms, our links with schools, joint carols in the park with the Methodists, and with weddings to come again this year. We really are a church at the heart of the village.

I have seen the whole community made at home and given value, young and old. Sunday School, Messy Church, and the Communion course take a significant commitment, but the investment in the church is vital and pays dividends. For those perhaps a little too old for Sunday School, as well as being served by our more formal service at 9, Tuesday Afternoon Group now meets in Church and offers a space for discipleship and fellowship.

I have discovered too a PCC that is a pleasure to be at and work with. You are well served to have diligent faithful Christians overseeing the work and ministry of St. Wilfrid’s; please do continue to pray for us every 2nd Monday of the month.

I have seen our small groups continuing to be a source of fellowship and discipleship to many, something I long to see play an even greater part in our journey to come, hopefully becoming a resource to each other, a source of pastoral care and the eyes and ears of the church as we seek to love and bless the wider community around us.

And so to what is next. As I write this in January we are starting to discern together our values and vision, so all I will say is this – I am excited to go on the journey Jesus calls us to, seeking to become a place all God’s people in Calverley can find that they have already been found by him. I can only imagine what God will accomplish with and through us as we work together in the power of the Spirit.

Your grateful vicar,
Rob