Page 16 - Bere Regis November 2023

November 2023 November 2023

BISHOP’S LETTER Let us now get on to
other
important
less
subjects such as the
Praying for the People God Knows We potential of seeing some
Need a u tu mn a l w e a th e r
coming our way. After
This autumn it has been a joy to institute and hearing the weather
licence a record number of clergy to new posts forecast at lunch time
and as well as being the beginning of new ministry today, it was suggested
for individuals, communities and parishes, these that after experiencing
services represent the culmination of months of some very heavy rainfall
careful work. The appointment of clergy is one of overnight, we could
the most important tasks of being a bishop, experience a frost with us
overseeing the right person appointed to the right before the weekend. It is amazing how things are changing today, suddenly we
place, not only fulfils the vocation of parish and change from close on 20 degrees centigrade to frost it is unbelievable. How this
priest, but also ensures faithful ministry now and in will change our lifestyles, I wonder how many men will be wearing shorts this
the future. weekend? How the ladies dress code will change I am not able to say and to be
perfectly honest, I’m almost too scared to mention it.!
Sometimes the departure of a parish priest is
sudden, sometimes it is planned whatever, the Now let us get back to the present and our current weather and the masses of
period of vacancy ensures time is taken to review green foliage we see around us. I honestly say that I can’t ever remember the
the needs of a particular place or places, of a particular church or churches, to start of the rugby season being so green. We have had a wonderful long lasting
make sure that the defined task is realistic and forward looking. This can involve summer, well into what we would normally expect to be autumn. By this time of
vision days and consultations with Patrons and other interested parties. The role year we would at least expect the trees to be changing their foliage from green
needs to be accurately defined and the drawing up of a profile and advert a to yellowish brown and in the case of those with larger, heavier leaves such as the
careful process, bearing in mind that some weeks well over forty church horse chestnut, maple, ash, elder and sycamore to changing to a more distinct
leadership posts are advertised nationally in the Church Times. brown and actually beginning to fall.
The recruitment and appointment process, co-ordinated by the archdeacon and One tree, whose leaves are well
our local office, involves careful managing, as applications arrive, shortlisting on the way to actually changing
takes place and interviews and visits are organised. Patrons, parish colour and beginning to fall is the
representatives all participate in what is ultimately and most importantly a task of wild cherry tree. We have one
prayerful discernment as references are sought and read, candidates welcomed, immediately outside our window
and a day of interviews held. Presentations are made, homilies preached, and and it has in fact lost some of its
the local school visited. Then following appointment all the necessary checks are foliage but everywhere else I look
made before an announcement and plans for moving take shape, including the there, is a mass of green leaves.
preparation of the house and organisation of the licensing service itself.
Last month I wrote about shrubs
As often is the case much hard work proceeds a joyful celebration. Prayer is and roses in our garden coming
essential, and so often the temptation is to ask for the person we all think we into flower for the second time this
want, when rather than trusting that God will provide the person God knows we year. I can now say the same is
need. I am forever thankful for all those who at the end of these processes come still happening this month. This
to the diocese to serve the church faithfully as priests. We welcome those who climate change is definitely the
have arrived recently and continue to pray for parishes in, or soon to be in, cause and we, the human race, are responsible for it. What must we do to
vacancy. alleviate it?
+Karen Obviously we must stop producing carbon dioxide from fossil fuel usage. In fact

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