FROM THE VICAR

My dear People,

This is the time of the year when we take stock of our Parish Magazine. You will have already received a letter, from Mr. Ingle. I very much hope that you will act upon it when your distributor asks for your 1968 subscription. Only by this happening ng can we continue with a printed magazine of the present standard. The distributors are, of course, an essential part of our magazine team and I have to record with regret the retirement of Mrs. E. Payne, after 17 years' service in this capacity. A most praiseworthy effort and we are very grateful. We are fortunate in having secured Mrs. Eley to take her place as our distributor for Mill Road. The Methodist Minister's Letter and Mr. Ingle as treasurer are welcome concrete reminders that the magazine is a united effort from the church angle and I know you would like me to say how thankful we are to learn that Mr. Lapworth's small daughter, Ruth, has just been discharged from St. Bart's after sustaining a fractured skull in a car accident on the M.2. Sad to relate, Mr. Lapworth's stationary car was hit by a motorist who did not stop.

In the Parish Church this month we are intending to use the so-called new Holy Communion service. This Service has been authorized for experimental use for a period not exceeding four years, from 7th July, 1967; it cannot, however, be used in any church without the agreement of the Church Council. Our Council, having read the Service, almost unanimously agreed that they could not begin to pronounce upon it without having first personally experienced it as an act of worship. It is proposed, therefore, that this new service will be used at every Communion service in the month of February. Thereafter we revert to our usual form of the Holy Communion until such time as, after consultation between myself and the P.C.C., it is thought right to use the new service again. Copies will be available in the church. We very much hope that all communicant members will make a point of making their Communion at least twice during February. Council members and I would welcome any comments, favourable or otherwise.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

JOHN GREEN.