As I write this, plans are underway for the annual church meetings. As we operate under the law of the land there are things we need to ensure we do such as finalising the accounts, getting them examined and making sure that we have a management team in place (in church jargon - the churchwardens and parochial church council). Amidst this legal framework, though, there is something much more important about "church" in each of our villages.

Church to me means people, not exclusively a building. Yes, we have ten listed buildings that we are responsible for and they require much hard work and money to maintain, but the most important thing to me is that we build church as a community of people living by Christian principles as laid down in the scriptures.

You may not be aware of this, but as someone living in our villages, you are entitled to come to our annual meeting and let us know what you think about the life of the church in your village. Does it meet a need or not? How can we make it meet your needs? Are you interested in the building as part of our heritage but would prefer not to get involved in Christian worship?

I would love to know your thoughts in response to these questions. Listed here are the dates and times of the eight annual meetings which are going to be held in March and April of this year. During the first part of the meeting, the churchwardens will be elected. In co-operation with me, they are responsible for the day-to-day running of the parish. After this there will be a time when I want to hear from parishioners about the role of the church in their village, regardless of whether they regularly come to church or not. You are entitled to say your piece!

After that there will be a formal part of the meeting to which all can listen but where only those on the church electoral roll may vote.

If it were possible I would love to visit every house throughout this group of parishes, but unfortunately this is just not practical. So, instead, I am issuing an invitation to every resident to come to your local annual meeting so that I can at least meet you and listen to your views. Sorry - the swimming pool is probably not a reality - this year at least!

Hope to see you soon!
God's blessings

Chris