A lot can change in a week

By now, you may have heard my exciting news. I have been appointed to the role of Area Dean for the Swindon deanery. I take up the new position on the1st June.

I am aware that I will need to review my existing work as Vicar of Christ Church and delegate some things so that I can give my new Area Dean role the commitment, faith and passion it requires. Yesterday, I was interviewed again by Lynda and Pam our church Wardens who are gifted in strategic reviews, with the intention of reviewing my work and coming up with a clear job description, aims and objectives for the next period of time. I am the guinea pig here and once this has been done for me , all my ministerial and lay colleagues will have a similar opportunity. This will give us all the chance to understand how we can best work together in the light of my new responsibilities.

 

You will be aware I could only take on this role with Nicola's incredible support and an outstanding team of colleagues. On top of this, with financial support from the diocese, I have a new work consultant, Keith Lamdin, Principal of Sarum College; and we also rely upon the support of our spiritual director and cell group. As I go forward in my ministry, affirmation and accountability become increasingly important alongside constructive criticism. More than anything else, I know God wants me to be a good husband and a good dad, please pray that this will be so. You will be pleased to hear I had a medical a fortnight ago, which was fine. We rely upon you to continue to tell us what we need to hear and promise we will look after ourselves.

 

I will be in touch again with more details especially when my Induction in this new role will take place.

 

I write this with our love and prayers that you too will know God's guidance in whatever you are facing. Nicola and I are very aware we have been through a huge amount over the last year  and in many ways, Uganda, our exchange as a family in  America and my Renaissance mid service programme have led up to this opportunity. Vulnerability has always been a central foundation of my ministry because it has opened me up to the power of God's grace. We feel to those to whom much is given, much will be required therefore while the responsibility given to me by Bishop Mike is somewhat daunting, I know from past experience that, when I am weak , I am strong. Also I will be encouraging teamworking wherever possible, looking for other colleagues, lay and ordained, to develop their ministries alongside of me to make our Bristol Diocesan Mission Strategy a reality in the Swindon Deanery.

 

I have postponed my study leave for 2 years. I am looking forward very much to the arrival of a new Curate, Trudie Wigley who is coming in July as a wonderful unexpected gift. While I have investigated since Renaissance the possibility of doing an MA on Missional Leadership, I have now put that on hold for the foreseeable future.

 

We are thoroughly enjoying having Thomas home for the Easter holidays from Durham University. He is having lots of fun and laughter with his brothers, especially Hugo  who loves wrestling!! We were very privileged last Friday to hear Archbishop John Sentamu speak at St John's college, Durham. He gave an inspiring call to pray and serve the nation in all possible ways.

With our love and prayers for you.

Simon

Early morning in Durham

Last Friday Nicola and I left Swindon at 5.15am and travelled up to Durham arriving at 9.45am in the glorious sunshine. We were there so early that Thomas, our son who is at University there, was still asleep in bed! The picture is of me with David Austin from Christ church who is a second year ordinand at Cranmer Hall which is part of St John's college. 

The photo was taken on Palace Green in front of the Castle and next to the Cathedral. David was in fine form and sends love and prayers to all Swindon friends. After coffee we were on the front row for the 11am lecture given by Archbishop John Sentamu, Archbishop of York who, by coincidence was visiting St John's college on the same day. He gave an inspirational lecture entitled: what is the church here for? We are here to serve our whole nation ,remind them of our Christian heritage, getting on our knees in prayer and living out the Christian faith as disciples and ambassadors wherever we are.

I managed a few words with the Archbishop afterwards. He was born in Uganda and should of died at birth,he explained. He was so gravely ill that he was baptised immediately he was born. Miraculously he pulled through;' I am the living example that infant baptism works' he said.After a delicious lunch and time of prayer together in the college chapel we explored Durham as a family and returned to Swindon by 11.30pm, a memorable day.

Thank-you for your prayers

Simon

Earthquakes

Christ Church Cathedral - NZ

Like our own church, Christ Church Cathedral in New Zealand was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott nearly 160 years ago. The damage to it and the surrounding area is a dreadful sight and has touched Nicola and myself even more personally since our son Thomas was staying in the area only a few months ago.


I have sent a personal message of support offering our prayers and thoughts at this difficult time.


We have just finished our sermon series on Nehemiah to prepare ourselves for challenges ahead as we plan to develop and renew our church to enable it to survive a further 160 years. 


We can draw great inspiration from the courage and community spirit being shown in Christ Church NZ at this time. The tragedy of the earthquake has brought into sharp focus for us the importance of how people work together not where they do it. Locally based Kiwi's are also doing their bit for home by organising fund raising events over the weekend. Please show them your support if you can. Details are in our social events calendar.


You can read about the latest news from Christ Church Cathedral here

Blog from St Agnes, Cornwall

Last week, I spent 3 days last week at Sarum College, next door to Salisbury Cathedral, on The Renaissance Programme. The purpose of this course was to remind me and 18 colleagues of our vocation to priestly ministry, our call to follow Jesus Christ and to keep us strong for the second half of our ministries. It was a terrific time; thank you for your prayers. On the last day I was very challenged by the following C S Lewis quote:

‘There is all the difference in the world between looking at the map of the coast, and going down to the beach and feeling the spray of the waves'

We were asked the question “What does it mean for me personally and for us at Christ Church to be regularly in touch with the spray of God’s graciousness; Jesus’ love and the power of the Holy Sprit? Do pass on any thoughts.

On Saturday we arrived at St Agnes, 30 yards from the coastal path, for a half term break – it is an incredible spot. This morning at 9am I was on Chapel Porth beach, as Morning Prayer was taking place in Christ Church, sitting on a rock with enormous spray from the waves all around me. I was overwhelmed by the privilege of being here 2 days after hearing the C S Lewis quote.

On yesterday’s coastal walk to Perranporth Beach, (a spectacular stretch of coastal path with a beautiful beach to welcome us) I passed a bench with the following inscription:

“Karen’s bench – when she entered a room, smiles lit up which will last for ever.”

I pray that you will be aware of the smile of God on you this week and enable others to know this smile in practical ways.

Every blessing

Simon

Being thankful for what we have.

This week I received a really powerful and thought provoking email from David one of my parishioners. It contained a message that I think we all need to reflect on as we go about our daily life. 


The email contained a presentation which you can safely view here. Click your mouse to advance the pages.


Please do let me know what you think of this and tell your friends to take a look also.

Thinking out of the box

It was great to have the recommendation of Margaret Harber, one of the Christ church's congregation on Sunday to watch the incredible programme The Secret Life of Waves with David Malone.


Physics, Geography and Theology were combined in a beautiful Trinity. Do try and catch it if you can. The last ten minutes are especially moving and challenging. As we all face up to changes in life, how do we adapt to the processes which are part of being a human being. Let me know what you think of the programme and especially how the church can respond as we consider the purpose of life and the value of every human being. I trust you will find it worthwhile and look forward to your comments. You can find it on the BBC Iplayer
Every blessing
Simon

Simon's Sermon on Nehemiah 4 - Keeping Momentum

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Latest news - All things are possible for God

Many of us have regular appraisals, if we are fortunate to have jobs. One of  our congregation talks about death by performance indicators. Recently I had a diocesan appraisal, the first for many years, in my role  as Vicar of Christ Church. It was all very thorough, positive and encouraging  and, at the end, I worked on an action plan in the areas I want to concentrate on  for future development.

In the afternoon I received a card from a member of my choir, David,  thanking me for the prayer ministry  we had offered for his physical healing. It included the following quote:

Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.

Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in,

but with what it is still  possible for you to do.

All things are possible for God.

Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

The following day I rushed out from the Vicarage as he passed by. The card could have been sent to me directly from God it was so applicable to my situation. David mentioned he spent quite some time getting the right card to say thank-you. May you be similarly encouraged, whatever your situation, as you reflect on these words.

 

Do blog back any responses.

Simon Talks about the film The King's Speech.

OSCAR nominated film The King’s Speech has been praised by speech experts in the town for shining the spotlight on a difficult subject.
Speech therapists along with those who suffer from the impediment in Swindon have welcomed the attention and hope Colin Firth’s latest blockbuster – which was nominated for 12 Oscars yesterday – will encourage more people in the town to seek help for their stammer.
The film tells the story of King George VI who, plagued by a stammer and considered unfit to be king, sought the help of unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue.
The Reverend Simon Stevenette, of Christ Church Swindon has himself overcome a stammer which developed in his teenage years.
He said: “The King’s Speech was brilliant, it brought tears to my eyes – it said all the right things.
“It was frustrating when my stammer developed, I used to have pieces of paper with my name on or the name of a station I needed to go to.
“It seemed strange to me that God called me to ministry when my speech was at its worst but I had a very powerful healing experience – it is important to receive support and encouragement.
“You feel a sense of vulnerability within you when you have a stammer, but you make sure that you get the words out and you make sure that those words are positive and encouraging – that has always been an incentive for me.” 


You can read the full article on This is Wiltshire