Dear Friends of St Anne's Church

We are writing once more as your Parish Representatives to share the latest update on the vacancy process at St Anne's. 

Some of you will be aware that the latest vacancy shortlisting meeting took place earlier this week.

The meeting was chaired by Helen Dimmock (the Ecclesiastical Secretary to the Crown and Lord Chancellor), with Archdeacon Catharine, Rev Andrew Knowles (Assistant Area Dean) and the two of us.

It is with sadness that we have to report that the committee unanimously agreed that we would not interview any of the candidates. Although we had more candidates than previously, the applications did not give us confidence that they were the right match for St Anne's.

We are awaiting further feedback and advice from the Diocese about what we can do to attract a higher calibre of candidates for the role. Both the Archdeacon and our Patron agree that we are an attractive parish for all the reasons that we are aware (e.g. single church benefice, financially solvent, parish administrator, no graveyard, great location, etc.) and so we should be able to generate stronger candidates than we have thus far.

We will provide a further update when we are able, meanwhile please do pray about the situation, not least for Ellen. Our vacancy prayer is below if that is helpful to you.

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