Moving on from curacy

One of our diocesan priorities is to grow a church of at least 150 people in each of our major areas of population. These churches will then support other churches in the local area to also grow. One of the ways this is happening is through our curates going on to use the skills they have learnt to lead and grow another church.

Mike Edwards and Chris Smith have recently taken on new roles in Evesham and Pensnett in the Black Country, in the neighbouring parishes to where they have served as curates in Bengeworth and Kingswinford. We spoke to them to ask them about their curacy and what they are looking forward to as their start their first incumbency.

How have you found your curacy?

Chris: “The Catholic context of Kingswinford and Wall Heath was very different to any church I’d been a part of before, and I found I really enjoyed it! I learned new ways of doing and being church, including the role that vestments can play – I’d never robed in a service before and am now more likely to choose to do this on occasion. I was given the chance to try new things out, for example I pioneered ‘Soul Food’ intergenerational worship at St Mary’s Church which was in part inspired by my previous experience of running Messy Church a few years earlier in Wollaston. This has given me ideas of things I might do in my new parish to engage with families and schools. I also learnt the importance of funeral ministry and the relationships which can develop through that. It is a real privilege to come alongside people and build connections in this way.”

Mike: “It was great to experience the full breadth of church through the three different congregations at St Peter’s Church in Bengeworth. I loved going into a context where the original congregation have been kept, loved and valued alongside newer services; honouring and inhabiting tradition while helping the church to discover a new identity. St Peter’s has a great culture of welcome, and I helped launch The Point, our community café held in the church which sees around 50 – 60 people attending each week for tea, coffee and homemade cake. This has been a great way to reach out to the local community as well as bringing the three congregations together.  I have also learnt the significance of having a good relationship with local church schools. I have helped develop that relationship in Bengeworth and have seen the benefit of increased engagement with annual services like Christingle, and other events. Parish ministry is very much a ministry of presence with people.”

Both Chris and Mike will begin their new roles as Curate in Charge and continue to be overseen by their Training Incumbents as they finish off their curacy and move to being Priest in Charge.

Chris:

“There is a real sense of connection and mutual support with Adam Hadley, Rector of Kingswinford, and I will continue to appreciate his advice and experience.  Our church styles and perspectives on mission and ministry are very different, but we’ve learned from each other and will continue to do so. Although we often do things in different ways, we’re still trying to achieve the same thing, and my curacy has enabled me to be more generous of other viewpoints. Whatever tradition of the church you inhabit, if you want to be changed, you need to intentionally spend time in the presence of God.”

Mike: “Andy Smith at St Peter’s in Bengeworth has been a great Training Incumbent. He has been kind and gracious to me and our family, and has also given me the freedom to try new things out, including launching a Tenebrae service which was completely outside of his own tradition. My hope is that we will have three Anglican Churches in Evesham that are distinct in identity but unified in mission. It has been interesting to be able to inhabit different styles of Anglican worship and work out where I feel most comfortable. We often think that we are more different than we actually are – anything that draws us into an encounter with God is definitely a good thing and it’s what the world needs at the moment.”

What are your hopes as you begin serving in your new parish?

Chris: “I grew up in the Black Country and that’s where I discerned my calling, so it’s amazing to continue to be able to serve there at St Mark’s Church in Pensnett – it really feels God is in this. I’m excited to help lead this church community and hope to develop vibrant, engaging, liturgical worship alongside intentional discipleship as we grow together in Christ. I’m also looking forward to reaching out and engaging with the community, meeting people of all ages, including at Russell’s Hall Hospital which is just next door and also the local schools.”

Mike:

“It’s an exciting time to be part of the Church in Evesham with the planned redevelopment of the shopping centre and a footbridge between Evesham and Hampton being rebuilt.  There is a great mix of tradition in the churches I’ll be leading – a more Catholic heritage in Hampton and the town centre church of All Saints’ which is there for everyone. I feel called to be a bridge builder, gathering people that represent the breadth of the Anglican Church, working alongside those we might disagree with and being very clear that everyone is welcome. Mission among children and young people will be a key priority as will bringing the two churches together while enabling each to define their own identity.  I hope that we will grow a prayerful community that loves each other well and fosters a new generation to become part of the church.”

Good luck to both Chris and Mike in their new roles.