Following the mass for the Annunciation, members of the congregations of the Parish of the Good Shepherd met to elect Churchwardens, PCC members and Deanery Synod representatives as we began our life as a new united parish. Fr David had reminded us during the homily at mass that Mary was stepping into the unknown when she replied to the Angel Gabriel with the words, 'Let it be to me according to your word.' As a new united parish there is a sense in which we are stepping into the unknown as we look to the future. We can do that with confidence if we, like Mary, place our trust in the God who saves, who sends his Son to be born as a human being, to die on the cross, and to overcome the power of death through his glorious resurrection, which we celebrated just over a week ago.

After electing two churchwardens at the Annual Meeting of Parishioners, the special meeting received the Annual Reports from the three former PCCs of St Andrew, St Mary Magdalen and St Peter, before moving to the election of representatives of the laity and Deanery Synod members, with good representation from both congregations in our parish. Together with the clergy, these people will form our Parochial Church Council for the coming year. Please find the results sheet in the link, and pray for each of our PCC members as they take up their responsibilities.

At the end of the meeting, a new logo and branding for our parish was introduced to parishioners, which has been developed with the support of a graphic designer, incorporating a number of features relating to our local area and the hope and expectation that God will do great things with and through us as we move forward. Look out for this new branding in the near future!