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Dear Friends,
Time flies by when you’re having fun… or when you’re starting a new job and everything’s new. Beginning all over again is a strange experience and it’s not unlike those cartoon characters you see who are running full pelt and suddenly they reach the edge of a cliff and they keep on running: their little legs are going round and round as they’re suspended in thin air and then they plummet to the ground. BANG! They land in a heap, seeing stars!
In business terms the experience of job transition involves someone leaving a post in which hopefully they have been efficient and effective (unconscious competence) and having to learn the ropes of the new post (conscious incompetence!). That sums it up pretty well. So if you see me around and I look like Roadrunner seeing stars- hopefully it’s just because I’m still new to it all.
Beginning again is also a really exciting and creative time and that’s especially true in a new place. It’s been a real pleasure meeting so many new people and beginning to get to know the Parish and the Town. That’s one part of the transition process I want to keep hold of. Thanks to everyone who have made me feel so very welcome.
We are moving into a busy period at the Parish and I’m looking forward to the cycle of services and events that begins soon with All Saints and All Souls and leads us through Advent to the culmination of all the Christmas festivities.
In the magazine you will find adverts for Advent services and lectures. Before that we will be keeping All Saints Day on Sunday 2nd November and on the same day we will be marking All Souls with a service involving the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed at 3pm. You see more details about that on the Sunday pewsheets over the next couple of weeks.
I’m really looking forward to Remembrance Sunday as it seems Bolton marks the day with all due ceremony and reverence for the sacrifice made on our behalf by so many servicemen and women. I am glad to be carrying on the tradition that sees the Vicar of Bolton joining the Mayor and the Veterans for the Service of Remembrance on the steps of the Town Hall.
Preparations are also underway for our Christmas services and the carol services. I did hear a rumour that the Parish Church plays host to the odd carol service or two! There will also be a splendid production of Handel’s Messiah this year which I’m particularly looking forward to.
There are some other projects that I’m keen to progress in the next few months. I am beginning to explore the practicalities of appointing a new Lecturer to the Parish with the Diocese with a view to making an appointment in 2009. We’re also investigating ways of updating and expanding our website. Any volunteers who would be interesting in writing material or taking photographs for some of the planned new sections would be especially welcome. We’re looking at developing a history of the Parish for the website and an online tour amongst many other possibilities. Watch this space!
With my love and prayers
Matt Thompson |
