It is nearly two years since we had a vicar looking after the three churches of St Giles’, Whittington, St Mary’s, Weeford, and St Bartholomew’s, Hints.

In that time, members of the congregation have stepped up to do those tasks that we would otherwise have expected our vicar to carry out.

Obviously (not being ordained or trained in some aspects of pastoral care) we can’t do everything a vicar could do, and we have had to seek assistance from some great retired clergy to help, and take the services – including baptisms, weddings, and funerals – that even our own Lay Reader, Gill Hollis, is not licensed to lead.

We are conscious that we may not always be able to provide the care to the village that a vicar could, and I apologise when we fall short of your expectations.

We are in the process of trying to recruit a new vicar, but this is a slow process, and we are largely at the mercy of the Diocese of Lichfield. We hope to be able to advertise in early 2023. Realistically, it will be some months more before we might have a vicar. Even when that happens, this will be a part-time appointment, covering the three parishes. This is because, going forward, we cannot afford a full-time post.

But, we are still here, open for God’s business, so to speak!

You are all very welcome to come to our services (9.30am each Sunday) and I can assure you of a friendly welcome.

We have an excellent Parish Administrator, Lynne Mills. Lynne can be contacted on [email protected] or 07721 767963. Lynne works 13 hours a week and can usually be found, in person, in the Parish Office (Church Hall) between 10.00am and 3.00pm on a Thursday. Please do contact Lynne in the first instance if you have any query.

My very best wishes to you all,

David

David Clarke – Churchwarden, St Giles’ Church