Inky Fingers
Well, He's on the way! And so is the new "Rector"! Both are welcome and exciting prospects. Many of us were pleased to meet the two candidates over a recent weekend (and that is in itself a new one for me) and one might have assumed a further period of deliberation by our Parish Representatives and others. However the wheels did not so much turn as spin! The new "Rector" (actually Priest-in-Charge initially) is already known to many as he is presently Curate in our neighbouring parish of Illogan â€' Rev. MIKE FIRBANK, a family man in his thirties. So in addition to the five-point "Wish List" outlined in the PCC AGM Report in our last issue of Outlook he already knows something of the area and our parish. We look forward to the challenge of "Moving On" with Rev. Mike. "With God We Can!"
So "the times they are a-changing" as the song goes. We have to be patient a little longer however and we send our best wishes to the other candidate and his family as they also move on with their continuing life mission. More of Rev. Mike and the arrangements (probably in October) for his installation in the next issue but in the meantime this issue includes a brief message (and photo!) of him â€' I know vicars are getting younger, but he's the one on the left!. He will need to find his feet in this, his own first, appointment and I know he will get every support and encouragement as Rev. Olive has had in this period. It will have been an average length interregnum as these things go now, I understand, but it is a busy parish and Rev. Olive has applied herself assiduously to keeping things going. This brings me to the next news: apart from a well-deserved holiday shortly forthcoming, she will be further backed up by the assistance of our new Curate â€' REV. Marlene Carveth! Her recent Ordination as Deacon was welcomed in festival style here with a Parish Lunch. We are really pleased with this important step for her and that she is able to serve here in her own parish â€' well done, Marlene! And as you will see later those are not the only congratulations in order!
Something to ponder as we wait to move on together. My attention has recently been drawn to a Christian website â€' "Ship of Fools" (don't be put off by the "cover"!). It is a lively if rebellious site representing, it would appear, all shades of shades of churchmanship and denomination. It has a feature called "Mystery Worshipper" â€' a normal service of "a church near you" is visited anonymously and appraised objectively but fairly and with understanding; there is a "Which?" style report covering several points including the crucial one â€' "Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?". Our challenge together is surely to make our church a place where people want to come for all the right reasons. "For God We Must."
Yours in fellowship