Dear Friends of St Anne's, 

Following the email that we sent to you five weeks ago, we are writing once again as your Parish Representatives to share the latest update on the vacancy process at St Anne's.  As you might remember, following a rework of our Parish profile, we readvertised during May and June. We are very pleased to share that we had a good number of applicants, and all the applications were stronger, which seems to be testament to the revised profile being clearer about what the parish is looking for in its next Vicar. The shortlisting meeting was held this week, with input from all the recruitment panel - i.e. Bishop Paul (panel Chair), Archdeacon Catharine, Helen Dimmock (the Ecclesiastical Secretary to the Crown and Lord Chancellor), Rev Andrew Knowles (Assistant Area Dean) and both of us. 

We are delighted to share that three clergy have been shortlisted to come to interview. Planned visits and interviews are scheduled for 21-22 July. We continue in confidence that God is preparing the right person to lead St Anne's into its next chapter, and hope and pray that this person might be one of these three individuals.

Andy and Carolyn

Churchwardens and Parish Representatives

God our Father, you have welcomed each one of us in Jesus and called us to be His body in this place: Send your Holy Spirit at this time of uncertainty and change, to fill us with vision, energy, and faithfulness in prayer, that we may be true to our calling to bring new life to our community.

Give your heavenly wisdom to those who are to choose a new vicar for this parish, that she or he may be a wise and gentle shepherd of your people, ready to serve us with joy, to build us up in faith and to lead us by example in loving obedience to your Son, Jesus Christ. 

Amen