What happens when the Vicar retires?
Many people in the villages and the community have been asking the same question, “What’s going to happen when Vicar John retires?” Rumours are also rife every time someone with a dog collar is seen in the village! So, hopefully, we can set your minds at rest and let you know what’s happening over the next few months.
The Church of England is governed by many historic rules and laws which means that it is never a quick process obtaining a new vicar! The period between vicars is called the Interregnum and during this time, the churchwardens of each church, together with the Parochial Church Councils and associated clergy, arrange for services to be held in the respective churches. These are usually covered by retired clergy, associate ministers, lay readers and lay people. ( A lay person is anyone who is not ordained.) This does mean that there will be changes to the number of services being held and we hope to publicise these monthly so everyone knows what is happening. We have already looked at the Christmas Services and are able to keep the majority of these.
Behind the scenes, we are working with the Archdeacon of Lichfield, to draw up a Parish Profile ( It’s a bit like a job description) and prepare an advertisement for the post. We have had to look at the nature of our benefice (the group of 3 churches) as Wychnor will cease to be open for regular worship from 1st October. Due to the growth of population in Fradley, an application has been made for it to become a parish in its own right but keeping a shared vicar with Alrewas. As you can imagine, this involves a lot of paperwork and meetings, but we are doing our best to ensure that the faith and secular communities of Alrewas, Fradley and Wychnor continue to flourish and grow.
An interregnum has no time limit! We could be lucky and have a new vicar by next summer or we could have to wait longer. This has been the case in several parishes across the diocese.
During this time, please bear with us. We have been blessed to have had John with us for the past 23 years and we are hoping to appoint someone who will build on his good work and guide us to the future. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us. If we know the answer, we will share it!
We are delighted that our churches are so loved by the communities they serve and we thank you for your continued support through a difficult process.
Jen Matthewman and Mark Emly (Churchwardens, All Saints, Alrewas)
Marian Derry (Churchwarden, St Stephen’s Fradley)
Frances Mayes (Churchwarden, St Leonard’s Wychnor.)