St Nicholas Church News

East Wall update

In August we received full approval from the Diocese and English Heritage to proceed with the investigative repair work on the East Wall, as shown on the schedule available in St Nicholas Church. We are currently waiting to reschedule the work as the delay has meant our slot with the builder has been lost. It is expected that this phase of the work will be completed by Christmas.

New Priest-in-charge, John Coombs

Our new Priest-in-charge, John Coombs, who is due to join us in early November, is currently Team Rector for the Hermitage Team Ministry and is responsible for 7 parishes ranging in population from 350 to 3,200 with Electoral Rolls from 22 to 88. He has overall responsibility for all the parishes, but has particular responsibility for the two largest: Hermitage and Cold Ash. These two villages are semi-rural whereas the other five are more of a rural character. John currently works with one Team Vicar, one House for Duty Minister, two licensed Lay Ministers, three Pastoral Assistants and an Ordinand. John is involved with the local church and Community Primary schools and Downe House and has been assistant Area Dean since 2003.

John’s wife, Valerie is the Schools Admissions and Admissions Appeals Officer for the Oxford Diocese and they have three children (not really children!), Ruth 31, Susie 29 and David 25, and two grandchildren.

John appreciates working and praying with others, whether ordained or lay. He feels that it is of vital importance to develop lay ministry and is pleased to see that this is happening through our Collaborative Ministry team. He enjoys working with people who are at different stages of their Christian journey and feels that it is important to make the church (both the building and the people) a welcoming place and the worship the best that can be offered whether it is an informal All Age Service or a Eucharist. He hopes that the music can be the best we can offer, again whether it is modern or traditional.

John shares the conviction in our Parish Profile, that the Church exists for the whole parish and feels that some of the ways that we are able to show this is through relationships with local schools, clubs and societies as well as through the opportunities given through baptism, weddings and funerals; to “rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn”.

John and Valerie have asked me to say how much they are looking forward to moving to Hurst and getting to know as many people as possible in the village.

The Licensing by the Bishop of Reading, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell and the Installation by the Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Venerable Norman Russell of The Reverend John Coombs as Priest-in-Charge will take place on Tuesday 1st November 2005 at 8:00pm in St Nicholas Church. The service will take place within the context of the Eucharist. You are most welcome to join us for refreshments following the service, which will be available at the back of the church.