Welcome Rector (Designate)!

Since Michael Rusk left as Rector of St Peter’s to serve in Geneva, the Parish of Oadby has been without a Rector.

Last night (28 November), the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, licensed Steve Bailey, currently the Vicar of St Paul’s, Oadby to be Rector designate of the whole parish. He is only licensed as “designate” because the parish borders are undergoing reorganisation. The “designate” ceases when the scheme is completed.

At the same service, Liz Wilson, who has been the Curate of St Denys' Evington, to be the Team Vicar (designate) of St Peter’s. Liz will be sharing in the Ministry of the team and we look forward to seeing her at St Paul’s.

The licensing took place in a joyous service, with a packed church, filled not only with members of St Peter’s and St Paul’s congregations, but also people from previous parishes of both clergy, representatives of the community and of neighbouring parishes and family. The service contained both the necessary legal promises, but also devotion and praise to God. The exuberant music – both traditional and modern – nearly raised the roof as we praised God for this occasion.

In his sermon, Bishop Martyn pointed both clergy to the way that Jesus preached, starting from small beginnings (the mustard seed) but always pointing to faith in Christ – the Pearl of Great Price.

After the service everyone was invited to a magnificent buffet in the St Peter’s Centre.

We offer Steve and Liz our prayers and support as they start this new stage of their ministries.

Christmas Fayre

Unbelievable as it is, Christmas is only five weeks away. Last Saturday St Paul's held its annual Christmas Fayre, with lots of offerings of and crafts, gifts to be given at Christmas, refreshments in the neighbouring Barnabas Centre and a visit by Santa. We were able to raise to be shared between the Children's Hospital and the Air Ambulance. Thank you to all those whose hard work made the event such a success.

Archbishop Welby – Welcome to Leicester!

The visit by Archbishop Justin Welby to Leicester called “The Big Conversation” has been well-publicised in the media. It is good to be part of a church which has an Archbishop who is so willing to speak of his faith – whether that be on the “Hospital Hopper” or in conversation with students.

One of the events in the programme was “In Jesus Name” on the Tuesday night at the Leicester Arena (where Leicester Riders basketball team play). Christians of all denominations were invited to come. There were about 2500 present.  Those who didn’t come missed a treat. There was modern worship, a talk by the Archbishop, several sessions of prayer led by church leaders of different congregations and nominations, and an Act of Commitment to Mission, made by those present.

If you didn’t manage to come, there are several videos available:

See the highlights of the Archbishop’s visit.

See how people of Leicester reacted in the Archbishop’s visit
See the Archbishop speak on suffering.
See some of the events of day 1
See some of the events of day 2, the rural church
See some of the events of day 3,
we pray that many who heard the Archbishop may be drawn to get to know Jesus Christ better.

Bishop's Lay Congress

St Paul’s is a member of the Church of England Diocese of Leicester. One of the valuable things about being part of a larger group is that is able to do things that we could not do not do on our own. One of these is “the Bishop’s Lay Congress” which has taken place in the autumn term for a decade.
This year, it was held at the Cathedral itself on Saturday 4 November. There were two principal speakers. In the morning Rodney Green, a former Chief Executive of Leicester City Council gave a challenging talk in which he showed, not only a decline in church numbers, but also a decreasing acceptance of Christian principles, such as the Ten Commandments – many did not consider covetousness or adultery wrong, and even murder was not absolute.
Because it was Armistice Day, 11 November, proceedings stopped after the first talk, as outsiders joined us in the cathedral and we held an act of remembrance, with a two-minute silence.
In the afternoon, the speaker was Bishop Martyn himself. And then there was a time of questions and answers.
All the speakers were very challenging and interesting. These three quotes give a taste of the talks:
Revd Rosie Woodall:: “We are Easter people and alleluia is our song.”
Bishop Martyn said: “The greatest challenge we have is to share the gift that is Jesus Christ.”
Rodney Green: “If you’re a Christian you cannot be optimistic but must be hopeful.”It was a good day – and so was the lunch!
This event happens every year and is open to all non-ordained members of the parishes in Leicester Diocese. It is well worth coming along. Look out for the next one!

The Most Valuable Thing that this World Affords

Traditionally, the last Sunday before All Saints Day is celebrated as Bible Sunday. This year, this is particularly appropriate, as it is just 500 years ago that Martin Luther rediscovered the Bible’s teaching that we can approach God only through faith in Christ.

This is why, during the Queen’s coronation, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland presented the Queen with a Bible, while the Archbishop said: “We present you with this Book, the Most Valuable Thing That This World Affords.”

This month, our charity is the Bible Society, which seeks to make the Bible available to all. In the past this has been through the printed book, but now they also use literature and recordings to make the message of the Bible better known.

Many of us and multiple versions of the Bible. We are so fortunate as in many countries it is a criminal offence to own a Bible. In others, there are still many people for whom the is not yet available in their mother tongue.

We are pleased to help the Bible Society make the word of God more widely available.

African Experience

Lou McGoldrick, our youth worker, recently joined other diocesan workers in  visiting Mount Kilimanjaro diocese, Tanzania. It is one of several dioceses with which Leicester has links.

Last Sunday, in the place of the sermon, Lou showed us photos of her visit there, and talked about her experience of the churches in Mount Kilimanjaro. Two aspects particularly struck her. One was  a couple who had left relative luxury to work in a very poor area, teaching life skills and teaching the children. Ultimately they were able to found a church.

She was also impressed with the work among the Maasai, a group who up until recently had had little contact with Christian belief. She and the group visited different new churches.

The visit had given the opportunity to talk with those who led young people in the church there. As they discussed social issues that affect the church, they found that their understandings were frequently different. Who was right?

It was certainly a different and challenging sermon for those of us who live in a relative lap  of luxury.