As a Benefice we are currently in a Period of Vacancy since the departure of our previous vicar, Revd Anna Harwood.
Please join us in our process of thinking, praying and reflecting on where God is leading us as a Benefice and LEP, and the sort of person we need to work with us as we seek to follow God’s direction.
What has happened so far?
Ruscombe and Twyford, and Hurst PCCs have been meeting to consider possible ways forward.
The Benefice and LEP had a time of prayer and discernment facilitated by the Diocese on 26th November.
The following email updates have been sent out:
Vacancy update 1: 2nd December 2022
Vacancy update 2: 16th December 2022
Please pray for our Ministry Team, our Churchwardens and the PCCs of the Benefice as they lead us until a new vicar is appointed.
We have two Vacancy Prayers for use during this process, both in our worship together and in our private prayers:
Heavenly Father, you have promised through your Son Jesus Christ, that when we meet in his name, he will be among us and hear our prayer.
We pray for our churches St. James’s, St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas during this period of vacancy.
We thank you for your Holy Word. May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths and a strength in our lives and church community.
Take us and with the power of the Holy Spirit, use us so that we may serve you and preserve and increase the faith of your people in Ruscombe, Twyford and Hurst until our new vicar is appointed. Amen
And a prayer for the appointment process itself:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the process of recruitment for a new vicar for our Benefice and LEP in Ruscombe, Twyford and Hurst. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit in all our preparations for the appointment.
We pray that you will be with all who consider coming here, so that at the end of the process, we find the right person, who in their turn is happy and willing to come here. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.