As you know, we have been interregnum for the last twelve months. A small subcommittee from St Nicholas Ashchurch and St Nicholas Kemerton have spent the last 3 months compiling a parish profile. This profile was approved on Monday 9 October by the full PCC, and we are so pleased to announce that the vacancy advert has gone live!The Bishop of Gloucester seeks to appoint an imaginative, pioneering and collaborative priest, committed to reaching out with the good news of the gospel to all ages, to serve in this diverse benefice incorporating villages, new housing developments and outer urban communities on the eastern edge of the historic town of Tewkesbury.The post will suit a priest with a deep commitment to a ‘mixed ecology’, with a heart for pioneering new communities, exploring new ways of being church and a passion for reshaping traditional parish ministry for the 21st century. The parishes are looking for a team player, someone who will harness the gifts and abilities of others and help them find new ways of engaging with the breadth of the communities that make up the benefice.For an informal discussion about the role contact the Revd Ali Mepham, Senior Interim Minister, on 07563 800117 or the Archdeacon of Cheltenham, the Ven Phil Andrew, on 07498 052045.Closing date for applications: Monday 20 November 2023 at 10amInterviews: Thursday 4 January 2024 Completed applications should be sent to Debbie Long, PA to The Archdeacon of Cheltenham, at ku.gro.coidsolg@gnoLDFor details, see https://gloucester.anglican.org/2023/missional-priest-in-charge-for-the-benefice-of-ashchurch-and-kemerton/
Following the Government announcement on 8 December to move to Plan B, face coverings are now required to be worn in church. We will allow people to choose where to sit but encourage people to give each other space and be aware of those who may not be comfortable sitting too close together. Singing will continue and face coverings will still need to be worn.We will invite you to come forward to the altar rails to receive communion (still in one kind) and further direction will be given at the next communion service.At present we will not be operating a booking system but we intend to record who is present in case anyone does test positive for Covd-19. Please bear with us and with each other as we continue to move through these challenging times. What we have decided for now will continue to be reviewed regularly. Should Covid case numbers rise rapidly please be aware that further measures may need to be re-introduced. Funerals (please see above information)· <span style="font-size: 1rem;">·</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Funerals are now allowed to go ahead with no limit in numbers but depending on numbers we may have to have some social distancing in place</span> · Face coverings must be worn, including whilst singing. · Singing is allowed. · We will ask you where possible to use the NHS Track and Trace QR code on entry or give us a contact phone number so that we can pass them on to NHS Track and Trace should we be asked to do so.Burial of Ashes· Burial of Ashes can go ahead.Weddings (please see above information about services in church)· Weddings can go ahead with no limit in numbers but depending on numbers we may have to have some social distancing in place.· Face coverings must be worn, including whilst singing.· Singing is allowed. · We will ask you where possible to use the NHS Track and Trace QR code on entry or give us a contact phone number so that we can pass them on to NHS Track and Trace should we be asked to do so.
