United Benefice of Bishop's Cannings, Etchilhampton & All Cannings
Our Team
Priest in Charge
The
Revd William Lang
Assistant priest
The
Revd Pat Strowger
Assistant curate
Sue Ascough
Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
Mr Scott Hulland
Lay pastoral assistants
Mr John Gunnell
Mrs Barbara Gunnell
Mrs Judith Gay
Mrs Elizabeth Currie
The Priesthood
In the ordination service, priests (or presbyters) are called by God to work with bishops and deacons as servants and shepherds among the people to whom they are sent. They proclaim the Word of the Lord, and in Christ’s name absolve and declare the forgiveness of sins. They baptize and prepare the baptized for confirmation, and they may solemnize marriage. They preside at the celebration of Holy Communion. They lead the people in prayer and worship, intercede for them, and teach and encourage by word and example. They minister to the sick, and prepare the dying for their death. Both deacons and priests are accredited ministers.
Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
Licensed lay ministers (formerly know as readers) are lay men and women in a voluntary ministry who are licensed
by the bishop to a particular parish or specialist ministry.
They
preach and teach, conduct services (including funerals) and assist generally
in worship and pastoral care under the supervision of the vicar. Before
starting the training programme (which usually lasts three years and leads
to the nationally accredited Church of England Readers Certificate) they
must be recommended by their vicar and parochial church council and selected
at diocesan level. Nowadays reader training is integrated with ordained
local minister (OLM) training. The reader for our benefice is Mr Scott Hulland.
Lay pastoral assistants
A lay pastoral assistant is a person who engages with and uses the gifts and skills he or she has in pastoral ministry on behalf of the local church, always working as part of a team of clergy and lay people. In all cases the ministry calls for a loving and compassionate heart, a willingness to listen and support those in need, and the ability to keep confidences. Lay pastoral assistants may be involved with visiting the housebound, the elderly, the sick at home or in hospital, supporting the bereaved and visiting baptism families.
Our Wider Team
The clergy are not the only members of the church team! Essential to the running of our churches are such people as:
Churchwardens – Peter Russ and Lewis Cobb at Bishop’s Cannings, Ruth Chadwick at Etchilhampton, and Peter Griffin and Robert Hanna at All Cannings
Treasurers – William Allen at Bishop’s Cannings & Etchilhampton and Sheila Moss at All Cannings
PCC members – too many to name but their role is to ensure the smooth running of the church and to make those many important decisions about the life and fabric of the church
Bell Ringers – their primary role is to call the faithful to worship by ringing the bells. They are also enthusiastic and skilled ringers! We are always looking for more ringers so why not come along to a practice night to find out more. Ring the tower captains for details: Ken Chivers for Bishop’s Cannings on 01380 860325 and John Mead for All Cannings on 01380 860348
Choirs – their role is to enhance the worship by leading the singing. We have choirs at All Cannings and Bishop’s Cannings churches. The organists and choir members are passionate about their role and practise regularly. Bishop’s Canning’s choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and our junior members follow the Voice for Life training course. If you would like to join either of our choirs or just want to know what’s involved, please ring Simon Chadwick for All Cannings on 01380 860345 or Peter Madeley for Bishop’s Cannings on 01380 723509.
The Vicarage, Bishop's Cannings, Devizes, SN10 2LD
canningschurcheswilts@yahoo.com phone/fax 01380 860650