Interregnum Update

We are thrilled to welcome two new team members to assist with ministry within our benefice: Revd Becky, Shiplake College Chaplain and Revd John who moved to Henley with Permission to Officiate within the Oxford Diocese. Retirement is not in a Christian’s vocabulary! Becky and John have very kindly written mini introductions. We are very blessed by their willingness to help fill the void that Revd Robert’s departure has created.

There are other inevitable changes.

One delight is that we have new teams. The worship lay leaders and Anna friends were commissioned by Rev Robert on 22nd and 29th September. For these we are indebted to Rev Robert for his vision and planning. Together with the joint PCC, these teams build a strong foundation for many aspects of church life, mission and ministry.

Some new services are in the planning stage. The Longest Night service on 21st December at Harpsden at 7pm will be a more reflective time of worship for those for whom Christmas is not all fun and festivities. It can be a very difficult experience when their situation is in contrast to what the media want us to think and feel. Real Christmas celebrates that God chooses to meet us in all of life’s circumstances.

Some times and venues will be different to last year so do look at the notices and revised web site www.achurchnearyou.com/benefice/27-442AP/

One loss is the 3rd and 5th Sunday 8am BCP Holy Communion at Shiplake. This is discontinued during the interregnum. For those who wish to attend that style of service, there is a 1662 pattern of worship every Sunday, 8 am at St Mary’s, Henley.

That is a powerful reminder that we are part of a wider church starting with Henley deanery and Oxford Diocese. We can look forward to meeting clergy from them too.

Trusting in God’s Kingdom purposes,

Blessings from Revd. Pam ( Interim Coordinator for Ministry) and Revd. Heather (Anna Chaplain)

My name is John Ryeland and my wife, Gillian, and I moved to Henley when we retired 3 years’ ago. I was ordained in the Church of England at the ripe old age of 21, so have served in various roles over the years. I started out as a Curate in North London, then moved to a church in South London, before becoming a Vicar in Essex. After 11 years, I moved on from there to take up a role as Director of a Christian charity based in central London – The Christian Healing Mission – where Gillian and I both worked together for over 25 years (and where we first met Pam many years ago now!).

We love living in beautiful Henley, where we worship at Holy Trinity and get to spend lots of time with our family, who all live locally. I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all as I help out during the interregnum.

I am Rev’d Becky Medlicott, the new school chaplain at Shiplake College. I am married to Andy who has recently been ordained and is serving his curacy at St Michael’s in Bray (the photograph was taken at Andy’s ordination at Christchurch Cathedral in June). We have one daughter and 2 boisterous cocker spaniels. I enjoy exercising being a runner and someone who enjoys weight lifting, which I do together with my daughter. I love connecting with nature and all of God’s beautiful creation – Shiplake is such a lovely space, being near the river and so much greenery.

I was ordained in 2021, having trained at Ripon College, Cuddesdon and served my curacy at All Saints Church in Wokingham.

Before being ordained I worked for many years as a youth pastor in various churches, and I was Schools and Community worker at Warfield Church, so you can see the pattern of being involved with young people throughout my life. At Warfield Church, Andy and I were lay leaders of a church plant and it was through this work that we both felt called to pursue ordination.

I also have my own business as a personal trainer and fitness instructor and so I am looking forward to all the ways I can bring those skills to my work at Shiplake College. I have received a very warm welcome here and am really enjoying getting to know everyone as well as settling into the school rhythm. I am excited about the opportunities to show young people what a life lived for Christ can look like through my own example. I am praying for opportunities to show God’s love, grace and acceptance to all who are a part of the community – and that includes the church community. I will be helping out with covering some services and look forward to getting to know some of you.

From the newsletter 31/10/2024