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Chris Smith licensed in Pensnett

Chris Smith was licensed as Curate in Charge of the parish of St Mark in Pensnett last Sunday by Bishop Martin in a service full of joy. Pensnett Church is…

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Chris Smith was licensed as Curate in Charge of the parish of St Mark in Pensnett last Sunday by Bishop Martin in a service full of joy. Pensnett Church is sometimes referred to as the Cathedral of the Black Country and will become one of our diocesan renewal churches, aiming to grow to a congregation of at least 150 people across the week.

Deputy Mayor of Dudley speaking into a microphone to Chris Smith at the front of church as the Bishop of dudley sits behind

Chris moves from being Curate in Kingswinford and Wall Heath in another of our renewal settings.

He was welcomed to Pensnett by different people from the community including the Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Adam Aston, and the Headteacher at St Mark’s CE Primary School, Keith Rondeau. Pupils from the school also led the congregation in one of the songs during the service.

Chris said:

A picture from the back of church with Chris standing at the lecturn and Bishop Martin sitting at the front in the middle and the pews full of people“My licensing service was a wonderful welcome to Pensnett. My calling to Ministry was discerned in the Black County and I am delighted to be able to continue to serve there. It will be good to keep a connection with the neighbouring parish of Kingswinford, and I will be building on everything I’ve learnt during my curacy as we seek God’s direction together at St Mark’s. Over the next few weeks and months, I’m excited to get out into the community, meet people of all ages, listen to their stories, and discover how we can grow together in faith and serve Pensnett well.”

Archdeacon Nikki preached on the reading from Luke 4. She said:

Archdeacon Nikki standing at a lecturn as she preaches

“We long to see more people of every generation in our churches and I hope and pray that the congregation at St Mark’s Church will be captivated by the vision to grow to a congregation of at least 150 people.  However, we won’t fulfil this dream on our own strength, and it will flounder for sure unless we are utterly reliant on the Holy Spirit. Today is the start of a new chapter. Please pray for Chris and for each other and I will look forward with great anticipation as to what lies ahead.”

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