The Vicar's Letter - August 2010
Dear Friends,
When I was young, AUGUST was the month of the family holiday. The school holidays seemed to stretch endlessly ahead, and we packed up the car – hitched up the trailer with the dinghy perched precariously on top – and headed off to the Isle of Wight. We made this annual pilgrimage 13 times, and – to this day – I remember the trials and tribulations that we sometimes endured.
I remember the occasion when our first port of call was Ryde Hospital! No sooner had we arrived at Seaview, but my brother managed to shut my mother’s finger rather nastily in the car door! I remember the time that I couldn’t bear to be parted from my goldfish (whose name was “Fred”) so we took him on holiday with us! I remember how we sellotaped greaseproof paper over the top of the bowl, to stop it sloshing over too much. Needless to say, this was not too successful and we arrived with poor Fred managing to survive in only about an inch of water, gasping for…air!
I suspect that we all have memories of such times; and whenever I see obvious holiday makers about us here, I often wonder what tales and memories are in the making for another generation of children. Such is the stuff of family life and growing up. And though for those of us who live here all the year round, it might seem strange to think of all these embryonic experiences happening all around us, it is salutary to remember what a privilege it is to live in such a place!
August 1st in on a Sunday this year with the Summer Fête the day before (July 31st). This is a particular weekend when we welcome quite a few holiday makers onto our premises, and I sometimes wonder if the church and the village atmosphere of Fête day will become part of someone’s else’s childhood memory. I know I remember just such an occasion when I was 6 or 7 visiting a Sea Scouts fête, and I have always liked such occasions ever since. So – even though it may be our routine annual church jamboree, may all of us involved remember that such occasions are the stuff of memory…and remember to make sure that all our guests get a warm and cheery welcome!
The following day has also become another traditional day in the parochial diurnal round: our Patronal Festival: the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord will be celebrated at the 10.30 am Parish Communion. As out West Window proclaims, our church is dedicated to the events of Luke 9.28ff and the Christian theme of transfiguration is one that ought to be relevant to us all who profess to follow Christ.
We are ALL ‘changed’...because of Christ! In the tradition of the season, the Vicarage will be taking a break for a fortnight or so after this great parish weekend. Although the Vicarage will be occupied during this time, I would be grateful if all needs could be addressed to our Lay Minister (Mo Willis) or other Church officers. May the sun shine on all of us!
With best wishes,
About the Vicar ...
Jeremy was born in January 1951 in Putney, London. Educated at Wellington School, Somerset, he left in 1969 to become articled to a City firm of Chartered Accountants. Soon after qualifying, he felt that he wanted to test his vocation to the ordained ministry. Upon being selected for training, he attended Westcott House, Cambridge for three years before being ordained in 1978. Whilst there, he obtained the University's Certificate in Theology having been affiliated to Fitzwilliam College.
His first curacy was in the parish of St Denys, Evington on the outskirts of Leicester. Having managed a long interregnum there, he moved in 1981 to Ringwood in Hampshire to be curate in charge of St John the Baptist, Poulner as well as assistant curate to the parish as a whole. In 1984 he returned to Leicester to become priest in charge of the parish of Christ Church, Thurnby Lodge - a large estate just within the city boundaries. In 1989 he came to Poole to become Team Vicar of the newly opened church of St Paul's, Canford Heath which itself was part of the Oakdale Team Ministry - the largest parish in the diocese of Salisbury.
In 1995 he was asked to become Vicar of the parish of Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks.
Jeremy has served on various committees, most notably on the Boards of Finance of both Leicester and Salisbury diocese, the latter of which he chaired for six years up to 2006. He is a non-residentiary Canon of Salisbury cathedral.
Jeremy is married to Alison who is a Registered Nurse at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. She is also Archdeaconry Chairman of the Mothers Union in Dorset. They have two children Helen and Tom. Jeremy also has two children from his former marriage, Sarah and David...not to mention his first grandson, Oliver John born recently to Sarah and Aaron!
