Letter from the out-going Vicar Neil BunkerDear FriendsI would like to begin by thanking all those who so generously contributed towards the collection for Wally Erdwin the Hon. Treasurer as he retired from this post on the 31st December. Wally had held this office for 4 years and had clearly carried out a very professional and efficient ministry in looking after Church Funds. On behalf of all the Parishioners, I would like to say how very grateful we are to Wally and indeed to Joyce for her support of you in the very responsible office.It gives me great pleasure to welcome Margaret Smith as our new Hon. Treasurer. Thank you Margaret for offering to undertake this work and as we thank God for Wally's ministry so we will very much support you in prayer and in any other way we can in this your new ministry. I would also like to thank those who helped decorate the Christmas Tree and assemble the Crib. The new decorations are very appropriate for the inside of our Church and the way in which the tree has been dressed conveys a sense of dignity as well as Celebration which is Characteristic of our Liturgy and life within St Augustine's Church. During the coming months the Archdeacon of Bromley & Bexley, the Venerable Paul Wright will be celebrating and preaching at the 10.30 am Sung Eucharist on three Sunday Mornings. Paul will also be chairing the PCC meeting in January and the Annual Meeting in April. For most of the time that I have been involved in with St Augustine's I have been working whole time in the NHS. Although I finally left the work after many years at the end of September, I will be starting a new piece of work in an organisation called "Re Think", severe mental illness on the 4th January 2005. Please pray for me in this work as well as in the ministry which I carry out most evenings in visiting a number of people very long term Mental Health problems at various locations across South London. I will still be celebrating the Eucharist daily in St Augustine's (except on a Friday when we join with the congregation of St Martin's Barnehurst). I will of course still be very happy to visit people in their homes, to take the Eucharist to the sick and housebound, to be available to hear confessions, to anoint the seriously ill, as well as preparing people for Baptism and Confirmation. I thoroughly enjoy being with you in Slade Green, and I am happy to stay here with you, for as long as God wants me to be amongst you.
Thank you for all your kindness.
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The above is the lead article from the parish magazine for January 2005.
Index of the previous magazine articles
If you wish to receive the full magazine it is available for a subscription of £3 per year from Mrs Mavis Bradley on 01322 338654 or email parishmag at sladegreen dot org