Having bade farewell to Becky on 16 June, we thought it would be helpful to set out what will happen during the interregnum and the process of finding a new vicar for St Stephen’s and St Julian’s. This is not a quick process, but we are in the fortunate position of still having 2 priests and a reader designated to the parish, as well as our strong and capable team of lay leaders, so we are in safe hands.

• For the months ahead, Sunday morning services will continue in the current pattern and led by Charlie, Patrick and Michael. They will continue to be supported by our wonderful, retired clergy (Martin, Geoff, Clare) and several other clergy from the Cathedral and diocese have offered help too.

• On some occasions, when a priest is not available, there may be lay-led Morning Worship instead of a Eucharist, but there will always be a Eucharist at one or other church.

• We are pausing Sunday evening services for now but maintaining the pattern of midweek services including the Wednesday morning Eucharist.

• The other elements of running the parish will either be shared among the team or in some cases may also have to pause. The many members of the church who serve as Pastoral Visitors, take Home Communion, support Children and Families and so on will continue.

As for finding a new vicar, that process proceeds with a series of discussions between the Diocese and ourselves. In practice that means Archdeacon Charles and Bishop Jane, the licensed clergy Patrick and Charlie, and our Wardens and PCC.

• It starts with a public meeting chaired by  Bishop Jane, and then a small committee will work on drawing up a parish profile which sets out the kind of place we are, our hopes and aspirations, and the kind of person we would hope to lead and serve us as vicar.

• This process needs care and takes time. There is a rhythm to when clergy tend to consider a move and when the various parties are available. Taking all that into account we would hope to advertise by early 2025.

• The working group, together with Bishop Jane, the Archdeacon and Patron or their representatives, then run the selection and interview process. We would hope to welcome our new vicar in the late spring or early summer.

A church as we know is not the buildings, nor the vicar and clergy, and the life of our Church community, its various congregations and its 2 church buildings, continue. Many churches find they grow and flourish in an interregnum as new people and gifts come to light, and as the community takes the time and opportunity to revisit and reflect on its purpose. We hope that will be the case for us, turning the gap into an opportunity, not just a challenge or a headache. Though it is worth holding particularly in our prayers Mary and Mike on whom the challenges will mostly fall.

We are in a good position, in a parish that should attract good applicants, and in a diocese committed to its congregations, buildings and people...and as Deuteronomy puts it, ‘underneath are the everlasting arms' of God. We pray for ourselves and for all involved in maintaining our church life, discerning our way forward and finding our new vicar in the months ahead.