New Vicar Appointed!

On Sunday 14th December 2008, it was announced that the vacant incumbent's position at St.Chads has been filled! We are delighted to report that Martin Court will be joining us as our new vicar in February / March 2009. For the past 3 years or so he has been serving as a curate at Blandford Forum Parish Church. From their excellent website we learn the following:

"Martin was born into a Methodist family in Exeter in the fine year of 64. At the age of 17 he moved to Bournemouth with his family where he completed a Social Care Course at Poole College which led him to working with mentally handicapped children for the next five or so years. During that time he met Julie. They needed more money than the Health Service would pay so he went to work for a newspaper wholesale company. The hours were long (they cut him down to 83 a week) and he didn't want to do it anyway. What he wanted to be was a Policeman. By the time Dorset Constabulary accepted him he had written 29 applications over a 9 year period. He wore them down and at 26 years old he joined up."

"But God called him to leave the Police and get ordained and after two years at Ridley College, Cambridge he and Julie, together with their children, Simon and Charlotte moved to Blandford, together with his beloved motorbike and golf clubs. In over three years in Blandford, Martin has developed a ministry in all areas of the town which has touched many lives, especially those in the schools. His energy and enthusiasm and, especially, his passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be missed here but will be a great asset to his new parish. He will be missed!"

Martin has now been appointed as our new vicar here at St.Chads. His last Sunday in Blandford will be Sunday 8th February, and he and his family should be moving to Chadwell Heath on 14th February. His induction and licensing is expected to take place during March. Exact date to be confirmed, but probably during the first 2 - 3 weeks of March. Watch this space!!!

Saint Chad's Church belongs to the Chelmsford Diocese (the Church of England in Essex and East London), and we are part of the Deanery of Barking and Dagenham. We are an international congregation with, at the last count, 30 nationalities represented in our church family. We regularly have upwards of 150 adults, 20 teenagers and 40 children worshipping together on a Sunday.

We are a lively, gently charismatic, evangelical church, which has a very relaxed, informal and contemporary feel with a whole range of activities to cater for people of all ages.  We believe there is a genuine place for everyone whether they are: single; have a young family; those whose children have "flown the nest" (!); and (dare we say?) those of mature years.  

On Sundays we provide a varied pattern of Worship alongside groups for Children and Young People. We have a wide range of groups meeting regularly throughout the week, which provide an opportunity for people of all ages to learn more about their Christian faith, and offer practical Christian friendship for everyone.

At the heart of our life together is the conviction that our calling as Christians is to serve Jesus and to serve one another, and this is summed up in our church motto: "A Christian Community Seeking To Serve Jesus". Please check out our "Vision, Mission and Values" page to see how this is lived out on a daily basis through the mission and ministry of Saint Chad's.

1 Thessalonians 5 vs 16 - 18

Hebrews 12 vs 1 - 2