We publish a Parish Magazine 4 times a year and in each Magazine there is a letter from Jonathan Smith, the Vicar at St John's. Here is the Harvest 2007 letter:
Something we hear a lot about these days is team work. Whether at work or at play the ability to be a good team player is highly regarded. A good team, so the argument runs, can achieve more than just the sum of the constituent members. Collegiality, mutual support and encouragement and a shared vision help to fulfil potential and engender achievement. The team ethos, in giving of ones best, not solely for oneself but also for the other team members, is often the spur to considerable success. Prime Ministers will speak about appointing a Government "of all the talents" and a good team will have varying and complementary strengths and abilities. Similarly sporting success will often come to sides who harness individual talent and deploy it in relation to other team members. In days gone by I was a very keen football referee and as part of an officiating trinity, Referee and Assistant Referees (in those days called Linesmen), we would refer to ourselves as the third team on the pitch. Team work was essential if a match was to be properly and effectively controlled. Conversely, a criticism sometimes levelled runs along these lines "too much of an individualist and not really a team player."
It seems entirely appropriate when Jesus began his ministry of proclaiming the Kingdom of God that he chose twelve colleagues or disciples to form a team under his leadership. The disciples came from differing backgrounds and possessed a whole range of temperaments and abilities but were united in a common cause and endeavour. When Jesus is no longer physically present on earth, it is the team work of his followers which will ensure the continuation of the spread of the gospel.
Here at St John's we have a very large team of people who, under my leadership, offer their individual commitments and enthusiasms as together we seek to fulfil our calling to honour the name of God and make his love known. Ministerially there is a team of three Clergy and three Readers who share in the responsibility of ordering worship, preaching, teaching and offering pastoral care. This Autumn there is to be a change to this ministerial team. The Reverend Mary Monk, who serves as Assistant Priest, is to retire. Mary is not moving away and will still be part of our fellowship and officiate occasionally, but will no longer hold the Bishop's Licence. Mary came to Harpenden in 1999 having been ordained in the Diocese of Southwark and serving in the parish of The Good Shepherd with St Peter, Lee. Quickly she established herself and her ministry has been one of quiet distinction. Mary was brought up in a clergy household and her late husband, Ron, was also ordained and the principles of Christian service are enshrined within her. Many, many people have occasion to thank God and be enormously grateful for Mary's priestly ministry. Her thoughtfulness, diligence and prayerfulness have been most manifest in her unstinting and excellent pastoral care. As a colleague and team player, Mary has always given absolute commitment and loyalty and personally I am enormously appreciative and grateful for her support and encouragement. Mary is held in enormous affection and it was a very blessed day when God sent her to us at St John's. We wish her a happy and fulfilling retirement and rejoice that she is still to be among us.
On 30th September we shall welcome the Reverend Charles Burch as the new Assistant Curate of St John's. Charles will have been ordained as deacon the previous Sunday in St Albans Cathedral. Ministerially, Charles has recently served as Reader in the church of St Helen's, Wheathampstead and we look forward to sharing in the process of his ministerial development and to him exercising his considerable gifts and abilities among us. I shall ask Charles to write about himself, his family and his hopes for ministry in the next edition of the St John's Magazine.
Please do hold Mary and Charles in your thoughts and prayers as they both face significant moments in their lives and ministries. All good wishes
All good wishes
