New Look
Ministerial Meandering
New Look
At least one of you, who feels that my ‘MM’s’ can ramble on a bit too long, will be relieved to know that this is only an MM to spread information following our recent PCC (Parish Church Council) last Sunday.
With 2025 pressing hard upon us, the PCC felt that it might be time for a new look to our Bulletin, which hasn’t changed since I arrived 4 years ago.
There are parts to the current Bulletin we feel sure that no-one spends any time on, and so these are to be trimmed. Specifically, the Cycles of Prayer that list a string of people that are mainly unknown to us, and who have the propensity to change parishes with astounding speed - or resign - or take sabbaticals - and so on. We therefore intend to group such individuals from the promulgated diocesan cycles into regional areas within the Fraser Valley, and list them for prayer as a group. Those individuals known to our parish members personally will, of course, be prayed for by such members, and not missed out.
The other Cycles of Prayer that include the hierarchy of the Anglican Church of Canada will again be listed as a generic group, as will linked parishes overseas.
I am fairly certain that this will not be popular with all members of the church, but the majority decision was that these details were not necessary, and can be looked up easily enough for those who wish.
Further, in the interests of streamlining and slimming down the document, the readings will only be indicated by the titles of the books and verses relevant. The entire passages will not be included. This is a deliberate attempt to encourage folk to actually look at their bibles during the week to see what the readings will be. In such a way, the possibility for greater familiarity with the bible may be gained. It will also hopefully encourage people to read either side of the lectionary passage to help put it into context, and so become more intelligible.
A greater variety of photographs will be used to give the front page a more appealing appearance, and the Warden’s Pitch will be kept more up-to-date (with luck!)
The ‘Chuckles’ section will remain, and I would like to introduce a Feed-back section, for you to make comments on any issues you feel need airing - including the new layout of the Bulletin, which will begin in January, 2025. These comments can be as blunt as you like - but preferably avoiding too many Anglo-Saxon expletives (swearwords). This section will be at the discretion of the Vicar, as he carries the can for what is put into the public domain.
All of the above trimming will naturally make more room for extended MM’s.
Philip+