www.wonershchurch.com

Wonersh with Blackheath

Ministry in the Parish

Isaiah 62:10
Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people.

Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones.

Raise a banner for the nations.

Ministry Team

The Ministry Team comprises those with regular responsibility for leading worship and preaching. It meets every few months to pray for each another, and develop service rotas and agree new preaching series. The theme of the ministry in the parish is that it is a shared enterprise under Christ guided by the vicar. The vicar and PCC operate together as the leadership team, with a Standing Committee comprising the Vicar, the four Church Wardens and two others elected by the PCC, progressing the day-to-day business of the Parish. See Whos Who in the Ministry Team.

Volunteer authorised ministry includes one NSM Colin Sowter (retired but with permission to officiate), one OLM Keith Bateson, two newly (July 07) ordained OLM (James Cooke and Liz Tilley (who will act as Deacons for one year), and two Readers (John Metcalfe& Brenda Williams – note Richard Maylam (who shares his ministry with St Michael’s Peasmarsh) is presently away). A significant number of other lay people lead services or preach on an occasional basis.

Paid staff, apart from the incumbent, there is the church secretary (job-share between Jackie Vass & Kate Bicknell), a children and families’ worker (Nicki Cooke) and a part time OLM (Liz Tilley) with responsibilities for the over 55’s. Jon Noble is our full time Youth Leader.

Through the Careforce Organisation we have been fortunate to have been accepted as a placement for a Christian Volunteer for one year to assist in a number of areas of the church’s life and ministry, including Children & Young People’s Work. From September 2007 Mimi Pachuau from India has been with us and from September 2008 Becky Ntamba from Uganda will be taking over.

Our services are designed to meet the needs of the different traditions of individuals, including those based upon Common Worship and the Book of Common Prayer. Once a month at Wonersh, at the evening Communion Service, and recently also at the morning service, there is an opportunity for individuals to pray with others for healing. Our young people are being encouraged to engage with a monthly Youth Service when they will be involved with the music and speakers.

The Bible Translations that we use are New International Version (NIV) with readings based on the CW Lectionary (see also the Revised Common Lectionary) in St John the Baptist, and New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Anglicised Edition (Sung Evensong King James Authorised Version) in St Martin’s.

Under Training

See Guildford Diocesan Ministry Course. James Cooke and Liz Tilley having completed their training as OLM, act as Deacons for one year until July 08. For three months Jan-March 2007 Liz Tilley was on placement to St Francis Westborough, and James Cooke with Christ Church Shamley Green. They were both ordained at Guildford Cathedral on 1^st July 2007. Gussie Walsh is studying for Ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, completing summer 08. Also we are supporting Kate Wyles who is studying for ministry at STETS (Southern Theological & Education Training Scheme), part of the University of Surrey.

Thank you to those members of the fellowship who take part in the OLM Training Group. This comprises about 8 members of the fellowship which meets regularly with the trainee to complete a major task each year related to some aspect of ministry. The purpose is to develop both the trainee and local church in ways of understanding, growing, demonstrating and living out shared ministry. This is done by:- encouraging shared ministry in the parish;- sharing aspects of training in relation to its mission & ministry;- fostering the parishes understanding of OLM.

Pastoral Assistants

Out four existing trained Pastoral Assistants were joined by Sue Metcalfe who completed her formal training in September 2007, however Ester Carpenter has subsequently recently retired.

Reflection over the last Few Years

Since 2003, a comprehensive parish review, a parish funding initiative, a vicar’s sabbatical, an Alpha course, a Christianity Explored course, and two Freedom in Christ discipleship courses have been organised. A week long mission event, called Feast for Life, assisted by the Saltmine Theatre Company was also held, which involved many local schools and many non-church members. A small team, led by the previous Vicar, attended the 2005 Willow Creek World Conference held at Bracknell.

Future Development and Growth

It is our ambition under God to maintain the good things that we have and to develop and grow in our faith. Priority is being placed upon our worship and the Alpha Course. A team is being put together to advise the vicar on worship, and a small Evangelism Team is currently organising the Alpha Course in the Parish.

For details of activities in the fellowship look in the “CHURCH LIFE” section of this website.

Our vicar, Ian Scott-Thompson, was inducted and installed on 5^th October 2006. The requirements for the incumbency were set out in our Statement of Needs