Christmas Greetings!

It is almost exactly a year since it was announced that I would be the first rector of the new parish of the Icknield Way Villages. I knew when I accepted the job that it would be challenging and exciting and that is definitely proving to be the case. Hazel and I have received such a warm welcome and much support since we arrived in April. Thank you so much. We are very pleased to be here and about to celebrate our first Christmas with you all.

Much has been achieved during the year. We now have a proper parish constitution and our first PCC and DCCs who are all working hard. We have had a great summer with many enjoyable events, and the Parish Gift Day was very successful.

2010 promises to be a very full year too. Amongst the many things that are planned I’ll mention three that are particularly exciting: (i) there are various outreach activities intended for around Easter with further ongoing strategies for growth, (ii) St. Mary’s, Strethall will celebrate its millennium with a visit from the Bishop of Colchester, and (iii) we will be welcoming Jonathan Lowe and his family to the parish in the summer as he comes, as curate, for 4 years training for rural ministry.

Let’s all continue to work hard at making the vision of a single parish across our villages more and more a reality by building up our common life and providing a secure financial base. We have made a great start; with God’s help may 2010 be a year when our parish continues to grow and flourish.

Best Wishes for a joyful Christmas and a peaceful new year.