The Vicar writes...
Dear friends,
Ministry
I am pleased to announce that Bishop John intends to place an Assistant Curate with us at Petertide this year. He is Andrew Perrin, who is currently training for the priesthood at St. Michael’s Theological College, Llandaff. If all goes well, and a new curate’s house can be found, Andrew and his family will move into the parish sometime in June.
Andrew is married to Kathryn and served as Warden of the Diocesan Retreat Centre at Llangasty for a number of years before offering himself for ordination. He was a much respected and conscientious warden and will bring many gifts to ministry in the parish.
I am sure that we all very much look forward to welcoming Andrew and his family to Oystermouth and hope that they will be very happy with us and have a fruitful time here.
I also announce to you that my very dear friend and colleague, Fr. David Watkins, has been talking recently about his plans to retire. He has been Assistant Curate here since 1990 and has served the parish with outstanding commitment and loyalty for twenty two years. His naughty but nice approach to ministry and life has endeared him to so many within the Church and community, especially the young.
Though I cannot imagine ministry here without David as Curate we have to remember that he deserves a well earned rest from the demands of formal parish ministry. Though he will still help out, by taking services and supporting events, he will no longer have the responsibilities that come with being the Assistant Curate. We will have the opportunity to thank David for his ministry here at a later date.
Over the last few years we’ve also benefited greatly from the ministry of Canon Robert Jones. Since retiring as Vicar of Treboeth he has been very willing to help out and often presides and preaches at the Sunday Choral Eucharist and at other services. He brings with him a wealth of experience as a former Police Inspector and Parish Priest. He also continues to serve as the Child Protection Officer for the Diocese. I thank him for all that he does as Honorary Assistant Priest.
Ministry is, of course, not just for those who are ordained. It is something we are all called to as baptised Christians. The word means simply ‘to serve’. It is always rooted in the life and ministry our Lord, who came ‘not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many’ [Mark 10.45].
As we look forward to welcoming a new Assistant Curate and give thanks for Fr David’s ministry here I hope that we will all reflect on our own calling within the Royal Priesthood of the Church. As we face the challenges of our age we need to look at new ways of developing and involving more and more people in the ministry of our worshipping and serving community of faith.
Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 22nd February. As usual, I commend the various special services, talks and studies that are organised during this special season of spiritual renewal.
This year’s special focus will be St. Marks Gospel. I encourage you to join with us in the daily reading through the Gospel. It’s something we’ve done in the past and benefited from as a Church family. To help us in our reading there will be a series of special talks on St. Mark’s Good News at the 10.30am Wednesday morning Eucharist. This is always attended by a good number of people and is followed by coffee in the Church rooms and an opportunity to chat about the week’s theme. Please come along, if you can, and follow the daily reading scheme.
With every blessing,
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