July 2026 (taken from The Link Magazine)

Firstly I can confirm that I am cancer free. Joy, phew!! Wow….

Secondly, time to pick up the reins. Everything comes at once – the Clergy Rota, The Lectors Rota, the Intercessions rota, A standing committee meeting……..like juggling with the balls in the air at once. Evening, after evening, watching my eyes looking squiffy following wiggly lines. Ensuring that we don’t overbalance Sheila or double book her…..as I said, like juggling with one hand……….

As I type we are looking forward to an afternoon tea raising funds for the next Ukraine Aid run – each run in petrol/ferry costs is now about £1300 which doesn’t magic itself into a bank account overnight. I hope to report on this next ramble.

Thirdly I want to talk to you all about the Authorized Lay Ministry. The Diocese I suspect are working to empower the laity into taking on minor roles to support our clergy and take the pressure off them. The fact is that there are not enough ordinands coming into the ministry but we still need our church life no matter how small the church. There is a book at the back of church (as well as information on the website) about a variety of courses from Catechists, Chaplaincy, Children’s Work, Care for Creation and Eco Church, Leading Intercessions, Mission Enabler, Pastoral, Preaching, Rural mission and Ministry, Traditional Church music, Worship and Liturgy, Youth training and lastly Safeguarding and DBS. Not all those courses mean you actively take a service, many result in a deeper understanding on our journeys of faith. The roles, as I see it, are supportive of our clergy which is so very important. I am not sure our clergy actually understand what it means to them or how they can utilize us for their benefit but that conversation is for another day. I plan to work my way through many of them. And no, we are not all going to be coming to church wearing little mini cassocks…..lol…god forbid and certainly none with red buttons!!! But for anyone wishing to follow through on any of the above, it does need PCC approval. I want to draw notice to the Leading Intercessions – only 4 sessions in October all on zoom. We could do with a couple more people on our rota and even if you don’t find it is for you, they are good courses, well thought out and not too onerous. (I cant do this one this year as am committed on the Bishops Certificate…but on the list for next year). I leave it with you. Please feel free to talk to Lucy or Simon or myself for further information.

Hymns and Pimm’s was a total joy and a huge thank you to our choir and Tim, plus Uckfield Concert Brass, to my team of refreshment providers and servers and Simon for all the behind the scenes work he did. It was well attended with nearly 100 in church and a great selection of hymns. I did have a request for more information on running a H and P evensong for another church and to be able to zap over the Service Sheet was hugely helpful.

Will leave it there as not got all my va-va-voom back yet.

Thank you for all the love and prayers.

See you soon.

Love Dee xx

Ps I still have some little wooden crosses, so if you haven’t got one, or know someone who needs one, let me know.