Rob and I married as non-Christians! That's right - never in a million years did I think I'd be a vicar's wife! In fact, I was rather miffed when Rob became a Christian, I kind of felt like I'd been mis-sold and certainly cheated out of my gentle Sunday morning lie ins. I became a Christian 4 years after Rob. It was nothing earth-shattering, I just made a decision that on balance I believed in the resurrection of Christ and the existence of a creator God who knows me, over and above my faith in 'nothingness'.

God, Rob and I adventured quite 'nicely' through life, serving in many ways at church, going on mission trips, tithing, working, and playing hard.
Our adventures took us to live in Geneva for 3 years, surrounded by Alps and lakes, many cultures and languages, snow and sun, and fabulous neighbours, community, and churches. Amelia was born into this setting. I can best describe it as a slice of heaven on earth.

The adventure turned on its head when Rob really felt called to be a vicar - back in England! I was once again rather miffed! God met me in my miffed-ness, or to put it better, my overwhelming place of sorrow, and spoke to the core of my aching heart through a sermon on Genesis 13:5-18. (NB, God rarely speaks to me this clearly). It's the story of Abram and Lot parting ways amicably, with Lot choosing the verdant plains of Jordan, Sodom and Gomorrah and Abram getting the much less desirable Canaan.
This felt a parallel to my life - Swiss paradise or British wastelands?
Things did not end well for Lot in paradise! And when Abram moved to Canaan, there was drought and famine, hard times, but ultimately God's mission was advanced.

Since moving back to the UK, we lost a parent, Rob was diagnosed with ADHD, I suffered with severe insomnia, depression and pain for many years and we lived in a really tough place. But 6 years into following God's calling, we landed in Calverley in a Rob-shaped vicar post, where I can continue to heal and follow my calling as a social landlady and where Amelia can flourish.
It's a special feeling knowing we're in exactly the right place.

As Rob said recently, 'Here I am Lord, send me Lord', is a dangerous prayer to pray, it doesn't save us from pain and heartache, but it does allow us to live our one precious life doing what we were put on this planet to do, that no-one else can, as part of God's mission. With God at the helm, what adventures could you have? Where would you end up? Whose lives could you touch? What joy could you bring?

Blessings and courage,
Victoria

Morning Services
Join us at one our services this morning, The 9:15 – our more traditional service, with communion, or The 11 – our all-age contemporary service, with children’s groups. Between the services refreshements are served, so stay for a chat & a cuppa. We’re asking you to remember to bring along your own mug, to save on the washing up!

Songs of Praise - This Evening, 6pm!
Come and sing some of your favourite hymns - a lovely way to spend a summer’s evening. Our Musical Director, Jonathan Lacey will lead proceedings with The St. Wilfrid’s Singers. Afterwards, we invite you to stay for wine & nibbles. This is a free event and no booking required. We hope to see you there!

Curate News!
Next Sunday 2nd July, Lizzie will be with us! We’ll be celebrating by getting together after The 11 for a picnic - weather permitting we’ll sit outside.
Before then, in each service there will be a chance to ask Lizzie questions about how she came to be the Reverend Lizzie Reynolds, Assistant Curate in Calverley.

Wardens – Farewell!
This Sunday is the last in-post for our 2 fabulous wardens - Dan & Sandra, stepping out of this role after 4 and 7 years respectively.
Their steadfast and faithful service has been a huge blessing to St. Wilfrid’s - not just keeping everything ticking along, but also manging an interregnum and helping Rob as he acclimatises, both staying on an extra year to help with this. Their leadership and service has been exemplary, and they will be much missed in their roles. We’ll be saying an official farewell at both services on 9th July - do come along!

Team Warden – Hello!
As we’ll be running without wardens for a period, we’re starting ‘Team Warden’, who will oversee the smooth running of services on a Sunday morning. More details about how this will work will be coming soon.
If you feel called and able to help please contact [email protected]

ChurchSuite
Thanks to everyone who has provided us with their details via our new ChurchSite data management platform. It is going to help us contact people when we need to, whether that’s for rotas, or for pastoral reasons.
For more information and to sign up, please click here, and help us be the strong connected community we're called to be.
If you haven’t connected yet, we will also be available between the services in July and if you have any questions, just ask Sally or Rob and we’ll do our best to answer them.

Go Deeper - Live!
We have two dates for your diary - 9th July with guest worship leader Derek Walmsley and 17th September with Marcus Green. Both evenings begin at 6:30pm with contemporary worship music, prayer, and teaching.
Do join us to Go Deeper with God!

Confirmation & Communion Courses
Our next course is for anyone aged 7 or over who would like to take communion, exploring the basic of the church’s faith.
We will be running this from 12:30-2:30pm on 9th & 16th July in Church.
We're also planning to have confirmations this year - if you are ready for either of those steps, or would like to know more about it, please speak to Rev Rob or email [email protected]

Summer Holiday Club
We're pleased to announce that we hope to be running another Summer Holiday Club from Monday 24th – Friday 28th July 2023!
For further information and to register your interest, please click here.

Please send any items to be included in our weekly Family Newsletter to [email protected]

The work and ministry of Calverley Parish Church is supported by the generous giving of the church community, and we receive no outside funding.
You can make a donation or sign up to regular giving, including Gift Aid, via our Parish Giving page online here.
Thank You for your support.