What better way to mark the season of Advent and the start of the church year � a time of preparation and anticipation � than with the announcement of our next Vicar, Jeremy Fletcher!
This month we take the opportunity to reflect on the journey we have been on over this past year � a journey that began with a series of consultation meetings back in January to which we issued an open invitation to all church members. The eventual output of those meetings, and subsequent discussions within the PCC, was the Parish Profile that Jeremy and other potential applicants received. In it we painted a representative picture of life at Hampstead Parish Church in all its diversity and set out our mission and priorities.
What we concluded is that we are a busy church with many strengths and some aspects that are very important to us. These included: our liberal catholic tradition and formal worship, with choral music as an integral part; thoughtful and engaging preaching and teaching; our position as an inclusive church, supporting the ordination of women; our track record as a �training parish�; our work with children and young people; our social outreach work with the elderly and others in need; our pastoral support; and our �open church� policy.
In celebrating all that we do well, we also identified some priority areas where we might do things better or differently:
Raising the level of engagement with our members to develop our capacity to do more
Strengthening our work with children, young people and families as we increase our efforts to build a church community that is fully inclusive and relevant
Developing our Christian education programme for those new to faith and those growing in discipleship
Developing a structure and a team that is fully equipped to support and deliver our mission
Improving our communications � both within our membership and externally.
The Parish Profile summarised what we are looking for in our next Vicar as follows:
�A natural and visionary leader, our new Vicar will have the ability and drive to identify, develop, challenge, motivate and empower our Clergy, volunteers and staff team to deliver a varied and full programme of activities and to care for the spiritual and pastoral needs of our church community. We are seeking a priest of prayer and spirituality, with a deep regard for the sacraments and a sense of occasion when taking services.�
In Jeremy, it is our firm belief that we have identified a Vicar with the right experience and qualities to help us build on and develop our strengths and those areas that are important to us whilst addressing the challenges which currently hold us back.
Jeremy�s appointment marks the start of a new and exciting journey for our fine church. In his application, Jeremy spoke of leaving each place that he has been �in better shape�. We are very confident that Hampstead will be no exception. Jeremy describes himself as being �at heart, a Parish Priest�. He will be �at home� in Hampstead and we will be in good hands.
As we look forward to Jeremy�s ministry, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our Clergy team, Diana and Jan, and our Readers, Handley and Andrew, for their additional contribution over recent months in leading our worship and pastoral care. The interregnum has demonstrated that much can be achieved by pulling together as a team, with everyone playing their part � something that we might all perhaps usefully reflect on as we prepare for Jeremy and Julia�s arrival in March.
We know that you will join us in warmly welcoming them when they do and in giving them our full support as we work together to make Hampstead Parish Church, and the community we serve, prosper and thrive in the years to come in the furtherance of our mission.
With our best wishes for the Advent season
The Churchwardens write
Angela Gardner and Jon Siddall