Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

Today, our rector, Steve Bailey was not in church. Instead, he was taking part in the Great North Run – a half Marathon which starts in Newcastle and runs to South Shields via Gateshead. He was doing this to support the work of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, whose work of trying to give everyone the right to worship, wherever they live in the world was described by our speaker last week. Many of the congregation had taken sponsor forms or had supported him by the Internet.

We wish him, and the work of CSW, well.

Light for Those Who Are in Darkness

When Jesus came, he promised light to those who are in darkness. Of course, he meant spiritual light to those who were in the darkness of sin, but who could now come into the light of relationship with his father through the forgiveness he was able to offer by his death on the cross. But he also came to the poor and needy, and in this world, some of the poorest have no physical light.

Our service today was led by Karen Johnson, who highlighted a project by the Christian relief agency Tear Fund to bring light to poor communities. As an example, she told us of a community in DRC Congo where a solar panel, feeding batteries was able to provide a light for reading and security. It also provided light for a small nursing station which the project had built. The combination of the light and the clinic meant that a 19 year old was able to avoid a three-hour journey to the nearest other maternity.  The service was held in a church without lights (on a very grey day) to emphasise the importance of light. And a cross covered in baking foil was surrounded with lit T-lights, making it shine in the darkness.

We were all encouraged to think of something that would help make a difference for our world.

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.

Welcome Joel !

We are delighted to hear that Steve and Angie's new baby, Joel Andrew arrived at 10:55am on Sunday 3rd April, weighing in at 7lb 2oz.

Steve, you will be licensed as team vicar at St Paul's on 29 June sent us this photo and thanked us for our prayers.

We are really looking forward to the whole family joining us

Happy Birthday Steve!

Opening Present                               Cutting Cake

Last week our vicar, Steve Bailey reached the grand milestone of 40. To mark this auspicious occasion, the congregation had contributed to buying him a tablet, an indication of the high respect in which he is held. This was presented to him during the All-Age service on the Sunday, which marked the end of Mega-Makers, our Holiday Club (see previous blog).

During the marvellous barbecue which took place in the church car park after the service, Steve was presented with a cake. He duly blew out the candles and then cut it.

We wish you God’s blessing for many more very happy years.

The Vicarage Garden Party - it must be summer, even if it's cold and wet!

Yesterday, Saturday 30 June, Steve and Angie welcomed the congregation of St Paul's and friends to share their garden in a garden party. Remarkably, for this summer, it stayed dry for the first three quarters of the time and we were able to enjoy the (admittedly weak) summer sun – and even watch the vicar joining his son on the trampoline! There was coffee, tea and a great range of cakes available and plants were on sale for charity.

It was a wonderful time for chat and renewing friendship until the rain (inevitably) came, when we all went into the Barnabas Centre and continued the good time of friendship.

Very many thanks to Steve and Angie for making their garden available and to the social team who organised the event and made the cakes.

Meet the Baileys

It seemed a good idea when we first discussed it. ‘After Steve’s licensing we should have a get together so that everyone in the parish can come and meet the family!’

Sheridan and Gilda were asked to provide a barbecue and we set aside Sunday 10th July to have a meal together and use the church, car park and Barnabas for our venue. As the day approached the weather was decidedly mixed and I for one began to worry that it would rain. We closed off the car park in the expectation that we would be eating outside, and began our service at 10.00am. It still looked dodgy.

However by 12.00pm the sun was beating down and everyone who came had a great opportunity to eat burgers and sausages cooked to perfection . Thanks to Gilda and Sheridan for their expertise and cooking skills. I don’t know what Steve and Angie thought of it all, but 90 people were able to enjoy the sunshine and their company. Sometime later I managed to return home and have a sit down.

Greetings from our New Vicar, Revd Steve Bailey

Welcome to St Paul's, Oadby. We know that you will experience a warm and friendly welcome here from the worshipping community, because we have experienced it ourselves. Part of the joy of being part of the Christian family is that you are never far from friends, even if you have never met them before. We are so thankful for all that has been done to welcome us here. As we continue to settle in, get to know people and places and learn lots we are excited about all that God has in store. We look forward to sharing in His ministry under the guidance of His Spirit. Do come along and join with us as a church on the journey God has for us, you really will be made to feel most welcome!

Welcome Steve and Angie

The long wait is nearly over. After a year without a Team Vicar at St Paul's, we are about to welcome a new one. At 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 29 June, during what we anticipate to be a service of great joy, Leicester's Assistant Bishop, Christopher Boyle, will license Revd Steve Bailey as Team Vicar in the Parish of Oadby, with particular responsibility here at St Paul's.

Since studying at St John's College, Nottingham, Steve has been serving as a curate at Walton on Thames. We look forward to welcoming many who have been in his congregation there. Hopefully, the motorway will be running freely!

During the service there will be the opportunity for local dignitaries and churches to say “Welcome!” But no welcome will be as profound as that from the congregation at St Paul’s. Those of us, lay and ordained, who take part in the Ministry here, are delighted (and relieved!) that Steve is coming to lead us forward.

Steve and Angie, his wife, and their two children, have already moved to Oadby and are getting to know the area as they explore the local shops and schools.

Our prayer is that, under Steve's leadership, the good news of God's love for everyone, shown in Jesus, may spread widely in our community.

Welcome Joel !

We are delighted to hear that Steve and Angie's new baby, Joel Andrew arrived at 10:55am on Sunday 3rd April, weighing in at 7lb 2oz.

Steve, who will be licensed as team vicar at St Paul's on 29 June sent us this photo and thanked us for our prayers.

We are really looking forward to the whole family joining us.

We have a date for Steve’s Licensing Service

Bishop Christopher will conduct the service of licensing of the Revd Steve Bailey on Wednesday 29 June at St Paul’s Church at 7.30pm.

Please continue to pray for Steve, his wife Angie, and son Samuel as they await the birth of their new baby in April and prepare to move to Oadby.

The New Team Vicar

Bishop Tim met with Steve Bailey on Monday January 10th and confirmed that he will licence Steve as team Vicar for St Peter and St Paul’s. We may have a little longer to wait for the family to move into St. Paul’s house, some other small matters such as the birth of Steve and Angie’s second child need to happen first. Their son Samuel is 3 and is really looking forward to a brother or sister. Steve has been doing his curacy in Walton on Thames and the family are pleased to be coming to Leicester which is much nearer Angie’s sister in Lincoln. Steve trained at St John’s Nottingham and worked at Lea Abbey before that. We look forward to having a new minister and pray that the Lord will prosper the family and our parish.