2021 UPDATE #16 OUR NEW BISHOP OF CHELMSFORD — Bishop Guli The new Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Deqhani, has now officially started her ministry in the diocese. She has sent this message (dated 19th April): Dear Brothers and Sisters It is a great privilege to write to you today, on the frst day of my ministry as Bishop of Chelmsford. I want to start by thanking you again for the warm welcome I’ve received since my appointment in December. In particular, I want to thank Bishop Peter and members of the Bishop’s Staff Team who have done so much to help me prepare for today and the months ahead. I mentioned in my Ad Clerum last month that my ministry will start in two distinct stages. Today I want to share some more detail about my plans for the coming months. My priorities for the frst stage will be to meet with people, to listen, learn and develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. At the start of this stage, I will work from Loughborough whilst our two youngest children fnish their GCSE year at school. However, I will visit the Diocese from time to time as the situation allows. Indeed, I am particularly looking forward to joining in some of the activities from the Cathedral as part of this year’s Thy Kingdom Come, the season from Ascension to Pentecost, 13 May to 23 May. During these 10 days we will wait on God in prayer and stillness – a time of renewal in our commitment to our shared mission and a time to pray for the life of our diocese. In mid-July, I will move into Bishopscourt with my husband Lee and our children. I’m delighted to confrm that the service of Welcome and Installation marking the start of my public ministry will take place on 4 September. This is a highly symbolic moment when I am formally placed in the Bishop’s seat in the east end of the Cathedral, the sign of the Bishop’s ministry of service and teaching. The service will also mark the start of the second stage of my ministry as Bishop of Chelmsford. From this time, I will start to lead worship, visit churches and worshipping communities and become more rooted and visible in the life of the Diocese. There will be further information about the service in the coming weeks. I have said before that I have no doubt about the scale of the challenges we face, but as I look to the future, I do so with great faith and a tremendous sense of hopefulness that comes in no small part from the people I have met with since December and the stories I’ve heard about our churches and worshipping communities and their service during this most difficult of times. I look forward to meeting you all in the months ahead as we begin our ministry together. Yours in Christ NB. Here at St Peter’s, we enjoy close relationships with three Church of England Bishops. As well as with Bishop Guli, we work alongside the Area Bishop of Colchester, the Rt Revd Roger Morris, and also (under the provision of the House of Bishop’s Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests, and in light of the PCC resolution of November 2019 under this measure) with the Bishop of Maidstone, the Rt Revd Rod Thomas. The arrangements are admittedly complex, but anyone who would like clarification (or who has any concerns) is welcome to contact the Vicar or the Archdeacon for an explanation! NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS • Copies of the Annual Report are now available. If you haven’t yet received a copy, and are unable to download one from the website, please contact the Church Office and we will make the necessary arrangements. • The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will both be on Tuesday 27th April, starting at 7:30pm. Due to the ongoing restrictions, and in accordance with diocesan guidelines, the meetings will be on Zoom (with the same log-in details being used for both meetings). The meeting ID is 848 9514 1671 // the passcode is 338391 // or use https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84895141671?pwd=bHJHREhxUVBZMHAyMDUrbVRZbW1ydz09 • Discipleship Explored continues on Thursday evenings. It is not too late to join, so please contact Bernice or Mark if you would like to be included for future weeks. • The church remains open for services on Sunday mornings. but booking is still required. You can book via our website (under Service booking), or contact Bernice Watts (via 01206 572529 or towncentreparishoffi[email protected]), but please book before 10:00am on the Friday before the service. THE CHURCH CALENDAR Sunday 25th April [the 4th Sunday of Easter] • 10:00am — Church Family Worship Online (available on Facebook or YouTube) • 10:00am — Morning Service (in church, booking required) • 7:00pm — “Rock Solid” (for school years 10-13; via Zoom, details on request) Tuesday 27th April • 4:30pm — “Ignite” (for school years 7-9; via Zoom, details on request) • 7:30pm — The Annual Church Meetings (via Zoom, meeting ID: 848 9514 1671, passcode: 338391) Wednesday 28th April • 8:00pm — Church Prayer Meeting (via the St Peter’s Church WhatsApp group) Thursday 29th April • 4:00pm — “Spark in the Garden” (for school years 3-6; in the Vicarage garden) • 7:45pm — Discipleship Explored session #2 (via Zoom, details on request) Sunday 2nd May [the 5th Sunday of Easter] • 10:00am — Church Family Worship Online (available on Facebook or YouTube) • 10:00am — Morning Service (in church, booking required) • 7:00pm — “Rock Solid” (for school years 10-13; via Zoom, details on request) CONTACT DETAILS Administrator Mrs Bernice Watts 01206 572529 towncentreparishoffi[email protected] Children’s & Youth Worker Mrs Lizzie Wallace 07540 261948 Churchwardens Dr Matt Cox 07826 361316 [email protected] Mrs Anne Kavanagh 07544 391882 [email protected] Pastoral Co-ordinator Mrs Vivienne Depledge 07951 355362 [email protected] PCC Treasurer Mr Richard Lawn 01206 540510 [email protected] Vicar Revd Mark Wallace 01206 572641 [email protected].