FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY: How my first 100 days as vicar have gone
Next year, the Diocese of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Cathedral will celebrate their 100th birthdays. Meanwhile, here in West Leigh, I've just celebrated my first 100 days as vicar of St Alban's Church.
One hundred years of shared history and 100 days of finding my feet. It's quite a contrast, and it's got me thinking about what we're actually here to do.
Of course, I wasn't exactly a stranger. I'd already spent several years getting to know this community. But becoming its vicar has brought a different question into focus: how do we discover what we're supposed to be doing as a parish church?
When I look at the life of Jesus, I notice how often his ministry begins with paying attention. He listens, shares meals, asks questions and notices people others have overlooked. He heals, forgives, challenges and teaches, revealing something of God's kingdom in the ordinary places where people live their lives. And amid it all, he makes time to pray.
I find that both encouraging and challenging.
Jesus calls his followers to be the light of the world. But knowing where that light is needed, when to shine it, and who we might share it with isn't always straightforward. Sometimes the difficult part isn't wanting to make a difference, but understanding what difference we're being called to make.
Because the truth is, I get things wrong every day. I become distracted by emails, meetings, buildings and the practicalities of keeping a church running. All necessary things, but sometimes I wonder whether I've paid enough attention to what really matters.
Perhaps the greatest discovery of these first 100 days is that we begin by listening, praying and getting to know the people and the place we've been called to serve.
And we do that together. Our parish church has a responsibility to the whole community, including those who may never come through its doors. That doesn't mean assuming we know what people need, but being willing to listen and discover what might be possible.
One hundred days in, I haven't discovered all the answers. But I'm learning to ask better questions, and to recognise that God was at work in West Leigh long before I became its vicar.
I won't be here 100 years from now, but I hope something of the light we learn to share today will still be shining in West Leigh long after we're gone.
ST ALBAN’S CHURCH, Bartons Road, West Leigh, PO9 5TE
www.stalbanswestleigh.co.uk