We re-introduced our Words & Praise evening service on 13 July and although numbers were small, we were very grateful to Ceilia Joice who got together an impromptu choir of friends with excellent singing talents, and they made the service for us. A surprise visitor to the service was Pastor Mark Tope and his wife Sue from Indianapolis.  We invited Pastor Mark to do the bible reading for us.

We had the funeral for John Farthing, who is remembered elsewhere in this magazine.  It was attended by friends and relatives including and a good  representation from this village.  He was laid to rest afterwards in the churchyard extension.  Another sad occasion for us all.

In September we are due to welcome our new Rector and are pleased to make the following official announcement:-

THE REVD DAVID NICHOLAS HEAD, MA, MTh 
Chaplain of The Princess Alice Hospice, Esher, in the Diocese of Guildford, is to be Rector of Bawdeswell, Bylaugh, Elsing, Foxley, Lyng and Sparham in the Diocese of Norwich.

He will be Instituted by the Bishop of Norwich at St Mary’s, Elsing at 7.30pm on Friday 5th September 2003.
All are welcome

His first service will be in Bawdeswell Church at 1030 on Sunday 7th September and it is hoped that James Lilwall and Friends will help to make it a Musical Welcome.  Again all are cordially invited to join us.

Can you please spare a little time between 1030 – 1200 on Wednesday 13 August to help tidy the flower beds at Lyng Rectory.  Please bring your own tools.  Edwin Speakman, Margaret Lawler.

Along with all the other churches in Norfolk, we will be open all day on 13th September to welcome participants in the Norfolk Churches Trust Sponsored Cycle Ride.  Please phone Robin on  688268 if you would like to join in.

Hello.  I look forward to meeting you all; but as that will take time, here’s a bit about me. 

I grew up first of all in London, and then in Norfolk; a few years after my grandmother died, we moved as a family to her house in Burnham Overy Staithe, where my parents still live.  One of my brothers lives now at Sedgeford, the other in Surrey.  I’m not married.

I was ordained at the age of 25, and am now 48.  In between, I was a curate in Surbiton and Marylebone, a team vicar and hospice chaplain in Clapham, and have been a full-time hospice chaplain for the last seven years in Esher, so all my working life so far has been spent in the London area.

My hobbies are quite wide-ranging.  I like reading and writing (but am not good with arithmetic), gardening, sailing, music, films, exercise that isn’t too vigorous, easy DIY, and painting.  I’ve also been an armchair supporter of Norwich City since the days of Ron Saunders.

My hope for when I am among you as rector is that I will learn how to serve all parts of the community: the dedicated congregations, those who don’t go to church, and all people in between.   My intention is to help people to find God (or to discover that God loves them) in the way and time that best suits them, and also to pay attention to the other needs of those who feel God isn’t there.

With my best wishes and prayers        David Head
 
 
 
 
 

The Rev David Head  will be instituted as our Rector by the Bishop of Norwich at Elsing church, 7.30pm on Friday 5th September.  There will be refreshments in Elsing Village Hall afterwards and all are invited to attend.  Ed.