Tamworth Hustings Today's the Day!

In case you haven't noticed, there is a Hustings event taking place at St Editha's Church, Tamworth a7 7:30pm

Here's the poster (for one last time - honest):

And here's the equipment that will make it all heard:

Just like the old days - the car is full of PA kit

(Now where's the Gaffer Tape?)

And here's the venue all set up and waiting for you (you are coming, aren't you?):

See you tonight - bring your questions and make a difference to Tamworth by voting, 

and voting intelligently!

CHURCH MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Hello - Can you tell me what the job's like?

The beginning of a rather interesting telephone call as one of those considering applying for a job engaged with me. Of course they didn't ask the one important question (are you going for it). Of course, even if I had been I'd have answered exactly the same way because I'd like to think that vacancies are all about having the right person in the post - after all, it's not like we're in the world now, is it?

What made it interesting was my ability to see the parish as a complete entity with four separate buildings whilst the person on the other end of the line see one!  Still, it was fun to talk about a place where the churches work together so well and to dwell on a fantastic past (Capital city of Mercia you know) and an equally promising future. The web presence is A work in progress - but better than it was (I hope).

So here we are - just a few days and the applications will be in and the sifting will be done - wonder who else might pop in, for it's always fun when someone appears and says they're thinking of moving in and then starts asking about ASA, Parish Share and the like - you know, the stuff you usually ask when thinking of joining a church :-) or telephones and asks about the job (been from same college or friend of a friend so far).

Exciting times ahead :-)

Celebrating Social Action

Tonight was a superb example of people celebrating the good things that others do to make their town a better place as Tamworth Covenanting Churches came together to celebrate and begin their Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Diocesan Bishop, Jonathan Gledhill, was joined by representatives from the Baptist Church (Revd Adrian Argile), Methodist Church (Revd Ian Howarth) and Fr Noel Ntungu represented the town's many Catholics - The MP, Chris Pincher and Mayor John Garner were also present to represent national and local government. There will be a full report of the evening's proceeding later but one of the highlights was the commissioning of Tamworth Street Angels (accompanied by an excellent address by Paul Blakey MBE - Founder of the Street Angels group - CNI).

Here's a quick image from the evening (more later I'm sure) to give you a quick feel for what went went on:

The Blessings of Christmas

Are to firstly be found at 08:30 on a Christmas morning celebrating the Eucharist with so many wonderfully faithful and engaged people.

Secondly to be privileged to preside at such a service with the wonderfully measured and sound piece of liturgy that is the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) service.

The cherry on the cake comes in the shape of the location this took place in - and I have to say that the chapel dedicated to St George in Tamworth's Parish church is one of the most lovely and sacred spots of all that I might have been able to do this service in.

Between Burne-Jones' 'Days of Creation - the Patriarchs and Prophets - and St Christopher (all dedicated to Sir Robert Peel) and the joy of knowing that one faithful member of the church would rejoice that the candlesticks and cross were back where they belonged - it was a splendid start to what was destined to be a wonderfully blessed and restful day.