St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

The visiting pastor

Dear Church Members,

In his second letter to the church at Corinth, St Paul writes that he shared not only the gospel but also his very self with the Christians there. I hope that the relationship between me and you will be like that too. It is what makes a community instead of just a club.

Thank you very much for all the cards and presents, the good wishes and enquiries after our children and our health. It makes us feel that you are concerned, and we are very grateful. We have now unpacked most of the boxes, and the fact that we keep losing things is our own fault! The children have settled well into their schools, and I’m told I look a bit more relaxed at church services.

As I said last month, the main thing I want to do during the rest of this term is to spend a lot of time getting to know the people, finding out what is going on, and hearing you tell me how you would like the church to move forward. Please invite me to come for a cup of tea and a chat. I’d like to hear what you think. Each week I am putting a list of time slots at the back of church (on top of the piano in the Narthex) - that means you can invite me at a time when you are comfortable, and you can get my full attention.

One lady told me I would be very popular if I kept up my visiting, and went on to speak warmly of Canon Thomas, who used to walk the length of the parish to visit his flock. I don’t know what his visiting strategy was, and I can’t promise to match his example, but I guess I can begin in the way I mean to go on. As your minister I will always try to come and see you if you want to talk to me. I won’t be visiting you at random, but I will always try to be available when you need me.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. July 2000, Page 1.
Home Page. Index of articles. Vicar's Letters: index, "Starter for ten", Shepherd, Visiting, Settling in. In this issue: (July 2000) Vicar's Letter, Remarriage? Antioch, Question.	The visiting pastor Dear Church Members, In his second letter to the church at Corinth, St Paul writes that he shared not only the gospel but also his very self with the Christians there. I hope that the relationship between me and you will be like that too. It is what makes a community instead of just a club. Thank you very much for all the cards and presents, the good wishes and enquiries after our children and our health. It makes us feel that you are concerned, and we are very grateful. We have now unpacked most of the boxes, and the fact that we keep losing things is our own fault! The children have settled well into their schools, and I’m told I look a bit more relaxed at church services. As I said last month, the main thing I want to do during the rest of this term is to spend a lot of time getting to know the people, finding out what is going on, and hearing you tell me how you would like the church to move forward. Please invite me to come for a cup of tea and a chat. I’d like to hear what you think. Each week I am putting a list of time slots at the back of church (on top of the piano in the Narthex) - that means you can invite me at a time when you are comfortable, and you can get my full attention. One lady told me I would be very popular if I kept up my visiting, and went on to speak warmly of Canon Thomas, who used to walk the length of the parish to visit his flock. I don’t know what his visiting strategy was, and I can’t promise to match his example, but I guess I can begin in the way I mean to go on. As your minister I will always try to come and see you if you want to talk to me. I won’t be visiting you at random, but I will always try to be available when you need me. John Hartley
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