Archdeacon’s Visitation

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Archdeacons, Area Dean, Lay Chair and Assistant Curate at the back of St Stephen's Church.
Archdeacons, Area Dean, Lay Chair and Assistant Curate at the back of St Stephen's Church.
Archdeacon Phil, Assistant Curate Richard, Deanery Lay Chair Chris, Area Dean Bea and Archdeacon Hilary

St Stephen’s Church hosted the first Archdeacon’s visitation of 2024 on Sunday 2 June. Richard Blagg, Assistant Curate opened the service that was led by Archdeacons Hilary and Phil.

The service takes place each year to admit newly elected Churchwardens to their office for the year ahead. Churchwardens from Forest, Wooton, Cirencester and Severn Vale were present. Kim Howard and Chris Witham were admitted as Churchwardens for St Stephen’s, Cinderford. Sharron Hill for St Ethelbert’s, Littledean and Eve Smith for St John the Evangelist, Cinderford. Pat Byett will be admitted at a future date as the other Churchwarden for St John the Evangelist.

Kim, Chris, Sharron, Eve and Pat have all been Churchwardens for a number of years and tirelessly serve our parishes. Churchwardens are volunteers and are responsible for the day to day running of church buildings. Churchwardens are vital to the health and wellbeing of our church communities. Our Churchwardens work hard to maintain our 3 parish churches and ensure they are fit for services and community use.

A table full of cakes on cake stands.

Archdeacons Hilary and Phil spoke about the role of Churchwardens in the full ministry of the church, particularly evangelism and how followers of Jesus were recruited through individual relationships in the first chapter of John’s gospel.

There was time for refreshments and good conversations afterwards. Thank you to everyone who baked cakes for the event.

If you need to speak to someone about St Ethelbert’s, St John the Evangelist or St Stephen’s, Contact a Churchwarden.