So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.
(Ephesians 2. 19-22)
On Dedication Sunday we give thanks for our church building which was consecrated on 8 October 1747. By coincidence this year, the same weekend sees the closing date for applications for the post of Vicar, with interviews due to take place at the beginning of November. We have been greatly encouraged by the level of interest that has been expressed to date. A new and exciting era for Hampstead Parish Church beckons.
The interregnum has provided the PCC with a timely opportunity to reflect on our journey as a church, and on our strengths and challenges. It has also prompted us to think carefully about the attributes we are looking for in our new Vicar to lead and inspire our further development.
Some of you will already have seen on our website the Parish Profile that has been prepared in support of this process: https://hampsteadparishchurch.org.uk/profile/parish_profile.pdf. In rightly celebrating our achievements, both in terms of our worship and the many other activities we currently organise or support, we need also to recognise that, as a vibrant and busy church, all this is only possible through the continued efforts and commitment of our members.
Wherever one looks there are wonderful examples – keeping the church and its grounds clean, tidy, decorated and open; supporting the clergy in the running of our worship and pastoral care; organising our crèche and Junior Church; and running our many and varied events. We are very grateful to our many church volunteers and donors – and yet collectively we need to do more if our church is to continue to run effectively, and certainly if we are to fully achieve our mission.
So, as we take this opportunity to reflect on the many blessings we experience as members of this community, worshipping together in the beauty of our church building, we should perhaps also reflect prayerfully on what it means to be a ‘member’ of our church and in what ways we can contribute to our church community.
A challenge for each of us this month:
What does the church and my membership of it mean to me?
What can I bring to the church in terms of my time, skills, experience and financial contribution?
As we reflect on these questions, and each review the nature and extent of our individual commitment, we should be mindful of the importance of providing our new Vicar with a very strong foundation on which to build. Their task will be made that much easier if we have already thought carefully about the renewed commitment that we are ready to make in support of our church and its mission.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss any of the points raised: [email protected] or [email protected]
Thank you for your continued prayers for our church community, for one another and for the candidates for the role of Vicar.
Angela and Jon
The Churchwardens write
Angela Gardner and Jon Siddall