VICARS LETTER FOR FEBRUARY

By the time you read this we will have been on our winter break with the Social Club to Torquay, and time marches on. It doesn’t seem five minutes since Christmas! Everyone knows now that there are going to be big changes for the churches in Middleton in 2008. One of those changes is the retirement of the present vicar of St Mary's so a lot of planning has to be put in place in order that the church continues to meet its obligations both to God and the community.

One way of doing this is for everyone who has a responsibility for worship and administration in the parish to concentrate their efforts to fulfil what they have taken on. Rotas and Roles are very important – most members of rotas do not fully appreciate just how important their role is: If one person does not fulfil their responsibility, then others have to double their efforts to fill in the gaps and carry the can. If we know we cannot take our turn, then we must arrange in advance for someone to fill in for us – don't leave it to the last minute. Everyone’s task is vital to the life of the church, no matter how humble you may view what you do – remember, if what you do has to be done by someone else it is suddenly very important indeed.

By the end of this year, many of our services will be covered by other clergy, mostly retired folk, so when they arrive at church they need to be confident that the church (that’s you all) has got everything in place for worship. If at present you do not have a role or responsibility perhaps you might consider playing a part in the life of the church. Even if you can’t but come regularly – if you see something that needs doing say something, rather than let a crisis develop.

Finally someone said to me the other day that so-and-so had a finger in every pie! Well perhaps the reason for that is that there should be more fingers available to share the work. Volunteers to the fore!!

Your friend and priest, Fr. Robin.