Area Dean of Basildon

Great to be licensed as Area Dean for Basildon at St Andrew's Wickford this afternoon and for our Deanery Team to be blessed by the Archdeacon of Southend. Much thanks to everyone who came to support, especially the Choir of St Catherine's directed by Barry Pocock.

Here's the JD as set out in the Service:

"As Area Dean, Jonathan is to be among Christ’s people as one who serves. He is to guide the Chapter, building them up in fellowship. He is to care for all the clergy and lay ministers and their families, and to watch over the needs of parishes when their priest is sick or the benefice is vacant. He is responsible with the Archdeacon, for the regular visitation of the parishes. He shares the Chair of the Deanery Synod, helping the members to work together for God’s kingdom both within the deanery and beyond."

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Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You.

The Revd Jonathan Evens announced as the new Area Dean of Basildon

The following announcement was made earlier today by the Bishop of Chelmsford:

"Bishop Guli has announced that the next Area Dean of Basildon will be the Revd Jonathan Evens.

Jonathan is Team Rector of Wickford and Runwell where he has served since May last year. He previously served as Associate Vicar for Partnership Development at St Martin in the Fields in London. He succeeds the Revd Canon Jane Richards as Area Dean of Basildon following her appointment as Continuing Ministerial Development Advisor for the Barking Episcopal Area.

Speaking about Jonathan’s appointment, Bishop Guli said:

“I’m very pleased that Jonathan has agreed to take on this additional role as Area Dean of Basildon. He brings significant experience of parish ministry from his service at Wickford and Runwell and from his role working with a network of churches at St Martin in the Fields. I would also like to thank the Revd Canon Jane Richards for the support she provided to parishes in the Deanery during her time as Area Dean.”

The Venerable Mike Power, the Archdeacon of Southend said:

“It is good news for the parishes of the Basildon Deanery that Jonathan is to become their Area Dean. He will provide support, wisdom, ideas and considerable experience that will be of great benefit, I also want to take this opportunity to thank Jane Richards for her contribution as Basildon Area Dean and as Vicar at St Andrew’s with Holy Cross in Basildon. Please do join me in praying for both Jonathan and Jane in their new roles.”

Speaking about his appointment, the Revd Jonathan Evens said:

“I look forward to sharing with my colleagues in the Deanery in exploring what will support our wellbeing, enhance the flourishing our parishes, and further develop our mission. I am grateful for the support and encouragement of Bishop Guli as we all seek to travel well together in the Deanery, to have the experience of Simon Law and Michael Hall as Assistant Area Deans alongside me, and to be able to build on all that Jane Richards brought to the role and the Deanery.”

Jonathan will be supported by the Assistant Area Dean for Basildon, the Revd Simon Law, who is Rector of Pitsea, St Gabriel with St Peter, Nevendon and the Revd Michael Hall, Priest in Charge at St Mary Magdalene, Great Burstead with Ramsden Crays, who will also serve as Assistant Area Dean.

Jonathan will start in his role as Area Dean on Sunday 12 March, His licensing service will take place at 4.30 PM on that date at St Andrew's, Wickford."

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Philip Bailey - This Is How The Work Gets Done.

Patronal Festival

St John's Seven Kings will be celebrating its 110th Anniversary over its Patronal Festival weekend on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October. Our celebrations will include Choral Evensong (Saturday 4th October, 6.00pm) followed by refreshments, Patronal Festival Service (Sunday 5th October, 10.00am) followed by a Bring & Share Lunch, plus photographic displays and the celebration of special anniversaries/birthdays for congregation members.

Many former members of St John's are returning for the weekend including:

• Revs. John & Rosemary Enever, who will be preaching at the Patronal Festival Service. Rosemary is a former curate at St John's who became Vicar of St Andrews Great Ilford and Area Dean of Redbridge; and
• Judy Acheson, our former Church Mission Society Link Worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Judy is celebrating 50 years of Christian ministry and, as a result of her ministry in the Congo, St John's continues to support youth work in that country.

Returning and current members will gives testimonies in our Patronal Festival Service to the work of God in their lives through St John's.

There are 15 different significant anniversaries/birthdays which are being celebrated within our congregation this year and all these people will be congratulated as part of the Patronal Festival Service. They include two 60th wedding anniversaries, one 50th wedding anniversary, and two 90th birthdays, among others.

Michael Blackstaff, a former server at St John's, has written a reminiscence in which he says, 'St John’s was, and is, a very special place. I was a bit short on blood relations (though very rich in adoptive ones) and came to regard it and its many good people as part of my family. I shall always feel greatly privileged to have been welcomed into its loving embrace.'

Judy Acheson says, 'I am longing to be with you all and share in God's blessing for us. I thank the Lord for so many blessings received. May the Lord bless you all as you plan this special weekend.'

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Chichester Cathedral - Choral Evensong.