Rector's monthly letter
Mid-Test Benefice - March 2024
As you may know, Reverend Philip Bowden left us in the Mid-Test Benefice in January for ‘pastures new’ in Birmingham. This means that we are missing a Vicar! The parishes are eager to fill the gap and are working hard at putting together a ‘Benefice Profile’ which will inform likely candidates about what a wonderful part of the world we live in, and give details of the parishes of which we are part. The current plan is for adverts to go out after Easter and, if there are applicants, interviews will take place in July. We may even have a new Rector in place well before Christmas.
In the meantime, the services will be led by clergy and lay people. We can be really grateful that we can call on a team of people to help us continue in worship and church work. So, please be kind to Reverends Sue Kipling and John Rennie, who help us carry on.
This year, Easter falls at the end March, so this month has most of Lent in it as well as Easter. Good Friday (29th March) remembers the time that Christ spent on the cross. To me, attending the Easter services without attending Holy Week services is like watching the happy ending of a movie without seeing the middle; you only rob yourself of joy. For the joy, join others to celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Day.
Rev James Pitkin, Romsey Area Dean