2016 will mark a year of change for Hampstead Parish Church as Fr Stephen prepares for his retirement at the beginning of May. As your Churchwardens, we want to ensure that you are kept well informed about the process for the appointment of his successor and that you have the opportunity to share with us your thoughts and views.
We are writing to invite you to take part in some important Parish consultation meetings this month.
Although church protocol requires that the formal recruitment process cannot begin until Fr Stephen’s retirement, we are keen nevertheless to start to identify and define our future needs and aspirations as a parish. The Parochial Church Council (‘PCC’) has begun discussing some of the elements that might be included in a ‘Parish Profile’ – effectively, the prospectus that potential applicants for the role of Vicar will receive. The Profile should paint a true and representative picture of life at Hampstead Parish Church in all its diversity and set out our mission and priorities.
To help us develop such a Profile, we would value your views and input, please:
What defines Hampstead Parish Church and what do you value?
What do we do well, and what could we do better?
What are the attributes or qualities we should look for in our next Vicar?
We invite you to join us at a consultation meeting at one of the following times:
Saturday 16 January: 3pm – 4.30pm in the Crypt
Sunday 17 January: 9am – 10am in the Gregory room
Wednesday 20 January: 8pm – 9.30pm in the Church
Friday 22 January: 8pm – 9.30pm in the Crypt
Please feel free also to speak to us individually or let us have your thoughts by email at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!
And, as we begin this New Year, please continue to pray for Fr Stephen, for one another within our Church community, and for our next incumbent.
With all good wishes for a very happy and peaceful New Year,
A letter from the Churchwardens
Angela Gardner and Jon Siddall