If the Parish Office is closed, or you can’t reach the Team Vicar, you can call 07351 426841 A member of the Pastoral Team will answer your call and take details, forwarding your message to the appropriate person. A Pastoral Emergency would be: need for support from the Parish Food Bank, Hospital/Emergency Baptism, Hospital Communion during serious illness, Last Rites or prayers at the time of death. Please note that this number is for emergencies only – any routine enquiries (scheduled Baptism, weddings, etc) should be made through the usual routes, either through the Wardens or the Parish Office. Please note that the Parish office is closed for annual leave from midday 23rd December 2024 till January 6th 2025 when it reopens at 9:30am.
The Church was full (as was the Community Centre for the 'afternoon tea' that preceded it) as we gathered to bid farewell, and to give thanks for the ministry of Brian and Karen Senior. It was a beautiful service, filled with uplifting worship, thoughtful reflections and a chance to express our deep gratitude both to God and to Brian and Karen for all they have done. A particularly moving part of the service was when Brian and Karen symbolically laid down, and handed back the symbols of office - some of which had been presented to them at the start of their ministry - such as the Bible, Prayer Book, Chalice and Paten (cup and plate!) keys to the four churches within the parish and also their diaries! We are thankful for all Brian and Karen have done for the parish of South Gillingham, and have been especially blessed to have benefitted from their strong partnership. We are grateful for the blessing and encouragement they have been as they have faithfully served God within our parish - for their wisdom, patience, humour and grace, and for their generous, open-hearted hospitality. As a church, we will continue to hold them in our prayers as they embark upon this exciting new chapter of their lives, and as we enter this new season in the life of our church, we promise to be faithful in praying for and supporting our church family - especially for those who will lead and minister during the vacancy.
We are very excited to be launching this new group for secondary school aged young people in years 7-11. As well as a range of games and activities, we will be offering lunch to all those that come! Please let Tracey know if you are planning come (posgchildrensteam@gmail.com) so that there is enough food for everyone, and also let us know if you have any food allergies/intolerances. If you are coming to Youth Group, you are of course very welcome to come to the 10.30am service before hand and stay on.Hope to see you there!
It was a joyful service and every Anglican church in Gillingham Deanery was represented.Bishop Jonathan also thanked Brian Senior, Rector of South Gillingham parish, for all he had done during the 5 years he had been Area Dean of Gillingham.
