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.

Good news.  The advert for a permanent full time Priest in Charge is still live, but we have had five enquiries. Bishop Alan of Buckingham, pictured, is leading this interview process and will be following the legal requirements.

At the moment his PA, Catherine, is tracing the patrons of St Andrew’s and St Mary Magdalene, to see if they are still wanting to be Patrons, and therefore involved in the appointment. It will be September before this is sorted and shortlisting will take place on 5^th September (5pm – 6pm, to be held via Zoom), with interviews to follow on 6^th October, held locally in Milton Keynes.

Baptist Minister Post

The Trustees have agreed the paperwork needed to advertise the Baptist Minister post, as well as Lisa Kerry, the Regional Baptist Leader. The advert will be on our website and Facebook page very soon, so please spread the word.

This and much more news from across the Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership can be found in the August newsletter available to download here.