Dear Friends of St Anne's Church

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

As many of you are aware, the application deadline was last week (early December) and the selection panel met this week (mid December). The panel consists of Bishop Andrew, Archdeacon Catharine, Helen Dimmock (Ecclesiastical Secretary to the Crown and Lord Chancellor), Rev Andrew Knowles (Assistant Area Dean), and the two of us.

The panel met for about an hour, and had a very thorough and robust discussion, the end-result of which was a unanimous decision not to interview any of the candidates who applied, but to re-advertise after Christmas. We appreciate this is disappointing at one level, however, what we hope you will all take away is encouragement that the process will be rigorous in order that we have a new incumbent for the next season of St Anne's, who will lead us well.

Bishop Andrew was keen that we share with you that there was a remarkable amount of encouragement across all six of us that God is working through the process.

The advert will re-run in January/February, with closing and interview dates to be confirmed. We will update you in the New Year.

Please continue to pray for this process, our vacancy prayer is below if that is helpful to you. 

We will undoubtedly see some of you at one of the Christmas services, but meanwhile we wish all of you a very blessed Christmas.

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