We publish a Parish Magazine 4 times a year and in each Magazine there is a letter from the vicar or a member of the ministry team. For Harvest 2011, we had two letters - one from Amanda Duncan, our newly arrived Assistant Curate, the other from Charles Burch, who is moving on to be Vicar at Bovingdon.
Amanda's article
Firstly I must thank you all for the warm welcome you have given me to this Parish. I hope I will soon get to know you and be able to remember your names. Be patient with me...it may take time!
Just to let you know a little about myself. I am married (for 32 years now) to John and have three grown up children - David, Judith and James - and 2 grandchildren - Isaac and Tianna - who will both be starting infant school this September.
I was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and spent my childhood in Spalding, attending the county primary school and then the girls grammar school, leaving to attend Teacher Training College in Hertford in 1976. I finished my degree in Education in 1979 and got married that summer in the 'tin tabernacle' at Bedmond. We eventually bought our first home in the Garston area of Watford and became very involved with the church there.
From 1987 to 1989 we lived in the USA while John was studying and then in Northern Ireland from 1989 to 1994. On returning to England we moved to Barnet.
I took up teaching again, after a long break to raise the children, and over the next 16 years taught all ages from 6 to 16. During that time I became a special needs teacher within primary schools. For the last 5 years I have been teaching secondary children, not in school due to emotional and mental health issues, with Barnet Hospital and Home Tuition Team. I was in charge of teaching a small group of children in a library the GCSE subjects of English, Maths and Science and of rebuilding their self-esteem and confidence so that they could return to school.
I have not always been an Anglican. My early church life was in the United Reformed Church as I was a Girls Brigade member there. I sang in the junior choir and was involved in drama/musical productions. When I returned to the church after a few years of absence I became part of the charismatic movement which was so prevalent in the late 70's. However in 1994 after a long spiritual journey I was confirmed, along with my husband, in Downpatrick Cathedral on Valentine's day. I felt I had come home spiritually. I have grown to love the Church of England, warts and all!
I have been training with ERMC which is a part-time course with six residential weekends a year and a summer school. So I have been juggling part-time work and family life with study. My sending church was St Mary's, East Barnet where Richard Watson, the new sub dean of St Albans Abbey, was Rector and Becky Leach, who is now curate in charge at St Mary's Kinsbourne Green, was assistant curate.
When I am not pursuing studies and church work, I enjoy knitting, crochet and sewing. I love walking in the country side and hope to be using my new bike to get around the Parish, although I am already finding out how hilly it is! I like to watch films and love visiting art galleries. I have an eclectic taste in music. I love reading maps and have a general interest in geography. I have an avid interest in our feathered friends and I am particularly fascinated by birds of prey. One of my favourite experiences has been flying them at a centre in Hampshire.
I am very glad to be in this Parish and look forward to getting to know more of you. I hope to be working with the youth and I will be endeavouring to serve this Parish as I also learn more of what it means to be a deacon and a priest in the C of E. If you haven't already do come and say hello, whether you see me in church or out in the street. I'd love to meet you.
Amanda Duncan
Amanda Duncan
It's hard to believe that nearly four years have gone by since I arrived at St John's as the new Curate, and that the time has now come to say goodbye. I have learned so much in that time, not only about how to preside at a packed Sunday morning service or baptise a child, but about the love and generosity of so many people in and around the St John's community, and about their hopes and fears, their worries and joys. Those of us who are 'up front', leading public worship, often get the plaudits but for each one of us there are thirty or forty who go quietly about their Christian lives, helping those they see in need, offering a quiet word, a meal, a lift to hospital….and that's what makes a living Church.
Now I have the challenge and excitement of running my own parish in Bovingdon. I will miss Philippa's wise counsel, even if I won't miss being made to do silly things at All Age services.... and I will miss the many friends we have made. But I trust that God will continue to guide me and I know that, if the welcome and support is anywhere near as strong as it has been in these last four years, I will be richly blessed.
May God bless you all,
Charles Burch
Charles Burch