Change to The Pattern of Services

Letter from the vicar outlining changes to our monthly service pattern from October 2018

I am delighted by the diversity of the services we offer in any given month across our Benefice, and we remain committed to this principle. However, a number of issues with the pattern of those services have emerged over the last 2 years, which it has become necessary to address. These include:

• The clash of Family Services in Long Crendon and Nether Winchendon on the 3^rd Sunday
• The forthcoming introduction of Messy Church in Chearsley immediately before Evensong on the 2^nd Sunday
• The difficulty in resourcing the 8 o’clock Communion Services in Long Crendon when the vicar is away
• The uncertainty caused by varying the time of Evensong in Nether Winchendon throughout the year

In response, the Wardens Team, Ministry Team, and the 3 PCCs have agreed a new pattern of services, to come into effect this October. No changes have been made to the services themselves, only to the Sunday in the month when they are offered. In addition, Long Crendon’s BCP Communions will begin at 9am, and Nether Winchendon’s Evensong will consistently begin at 6pm throughout the year.

•  This new pattern is sustainable given the size of our current ministry team, which is dependent on the voluntary service of lay ministers and retired clergy for which we are very grateful.
•  This new pattern means that, for those willing to travel between our 3 churches, we are now able to offer a service in a particular style (known as our 3 ‘tracks’) in each week of the month.

The new service pattern is detailed below, together with an explanation of our 3 different tracks:

	Long Crendon	Chearsley	Nether Winchendon
1st Sunday	10am Café Sunday	10am Family Communion	9am BCP Communion
2nd Sunday	10.30am Family Communion	9am Holy Communion	6pm BCP Evensong
		4pm Messy Church
3rd Sunday	9am BCP Communion	10am Chearsley Praise	10am BCP Matins
	10.30am Family Service
4th Sunday	9am BCP Communion	6pm BCP Evensong	10am Family Service
	10.30am Family Communion

Key to our 3 tracks (styles of service) Family Communion Services with plenty of hymns and provision for children Traditional Quieter services, usually from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Informal Gatherings with a 'less-churchy' feel for all ages to enjoy together

I appreciate that this will mean a change of routine for some of us, but it will achieve a pattern of services that we can sustain with our wonderful team. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me on reverend.richard.phillips@gmail.com or 01844 208987.

Yours in Christ, Richard