The appointment of a new Anglican priest in charge is set to take a step forward on September 5 when shortlisting for the post is due to be decided.

The two Lay interviewers from our church are David Preston, Chair of CIO Trustees and Sharron Marland as Chair of SEPC. The Patron for St Mary Magdalene, Sir Paul Bottomley MP, is also interviewing, along with the clergy and four members of the Churches Pastoral Aid Society. Interviews and social meetings will be following in October.

Meanwhile news on the vacant Baptist Minister post at Christ Church, Stantonbury, is due when the Regional Baptist Leader, the Rev Lisa Kerry returns from annual leave.The advert will be on the SEP website and Facebook page very soon, so please spread the word.

Further news from throughout the Partnership can be found in the September newsletter that is available to download here.

Bradwell St Lawrence Church’s 800^th anniversary fete on Saturday August 12 was a massive success despite late showers threatening the event.

Hundreds of people enjoyed a varied range of stalls, plus music from three artists and were kept lubricated with a bar provided by the village’s Queen Victoria pub.

The church itself was packed throughout much of the day with many visitors fascinated by a storyboard of old images of the church which were also on a slideshow on the big screen.

The bellringers were kept busy for three hours with an estimated 80 people going up into the bellringing chamber to have a go at pulling a rope – including the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Mick Legg who had earlier officially opened the proceedings.

Many people called for the event to be held more frequently – not perhaps realising that it took more than two years to organise the 800 fete with much help from Bradwell Parish Council, Milton Keynes Foundation and the City Discovery Centre.