The measure of our growth as a Parish came home to me shortly after the end of February last year when our former Associate Vicar, Linda Smillie, retired. When I came to the Parish twelve years ago it was possible to run two churches and all their associated activities single-handed for several years. It certainly isn't now! So for that reason the highlight for me of 2007 was the licencing on December 9th of Kevin as our new Associate Vicar. My arrival in the Parish was once described as resembling a whirlwind. By comparison, "Hurricane Kevin" seems to have hit St Mary's, and the good news is that it has already blown in an increase in numbers.

Figures tell a story and the reason lots of churches don't keep attendance records is that they don't like the story they tell. Our records tell a good story. There's an old catch-phrase which says, "We count people, because people count." Churches are in the business of fulfilling Jesus' command to make disciples and one measure of that is whether Jesus has got more disciples in this place from one year end to the next. Taking main Sunday attendances as a yardstick, from 2002 to 2004 we were plateaued at just over 40 worshippers of all ages on an average Sunday morning at the Ascension. In 2005 this grew to just under 44, in 2006 to just under 46, and in 2007 to just under 48, and it is still going up. Nearly one in five of our regular attenders is under 16. I was also staggered to discover that 7 out 10 regulars have joined the church in the last 12 years! If anyone still thinks we're a static, elderly congregation, it simply is not true, and has not been for some time. Thanks be to God! Admittedly the picture for St Mary's over the same period is less encouraging numerically speaking, but as I have reported before, this is only to be expected given the energies diverted into the Restoration project, and the upheavals caused by staff turnover. Early indications are that things are changing for the better.

If we ask what has caused this welcome growth in numbers, the only true response is to echo the words of St Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 that one plants and another waters, but it is God who gives the increase. Nevertheless, it is vital to plant and water wisely if the living organism which is the church is to grow. Both churches have vision statements over which they have worked and prayed, and which guide their efforts. The Ascension aspires to be "a Christian community committed to praying, welcoming, and growing," while St Mary's aspires to be "a church growing closer to God, each other, and our community." In both cases the first element of the vision speaks about our relationship with God and it is my passionate conviction that as we grow in that area, every other kind of growth is energised and enabled. It is no coincidence that renewed growth in numbers at the Ascension began in the immediate aftermath of an evaluation of our church life which concluded that our spirituality, the quality of our relationship with God, was, relatively speaking, our weakest area.

In 2007 we continued to address strengthening this. I wrote a Lent course called "Spirituality Toolbox" which was well received in both churches and which had a continuation as a summer course. We have seen more people involved in the musical side of worship at both churches, helping us to praise God in ways which are both old and new. Last year saw our first ever youth service which has subsequently helped the emergence of a small group of young musicians. We have also addressed how our spirituality makes a practical impact on our lives through the first Eco-Sunday which brought many commitments to a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle from members of both churches. We have also continued to be active in reaching out beyond the church through the Ascension Spring Festival, St Mary's barbecue, and regular Alpha courses which continue to bring in new people. The effect of this is encapsulated in the fact that the new course is about to be hosted by someone who lives outside the parish but who came to last year's Spring Festival, then to the new Christmas crib service, then became a regular worshipper. As the year ended I introduced the Ascension to some new ideas drawn from Celtic monasticism about how Christian life and community can be deepened today. These were warmly received and I am close to being able to present a practical outworking of these for our setting, a process which I regard as the next stage of our vision as a church community.

We count people because people count, and none of this would have been possible without the strength of the teamwork which exists at both ends of the Parish. Clergy are notorious for making jokes about the quality of their PCCs and Wardens. In contrast, I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by outstanding people with whom it is a genuine joy to work. Sylvia and Kester have been magnificent as Wardens and I am delighted that we will continue to have the benefit of their experience on the Councils. They have high calibre successors in Liz and Paul. Pete and Doug share a huge amount of the load, particular in finance and the restoration project, but equally through their considerable gifts in leading worship and preaching. The members of our Parochial and District Church Councils have shown tremendous hard work, creativity, faith, and good humour throughout the year, and all this does not begin to mention the many others of you who week by week sustain the life of our churches. I choose to thank you as not mere volunteers, but rather as valued fellow workers in building together a living house for God in this place.

For us as a family, 2007 was not surprisingly an exhausting year, made harder by the 10th anniversary of the death of our daughter Emma, and for that reason I'm not sad to see it go. But in the longer perspective it was another good year for the Parish. Let's thank God for that and all which is of eternal value, let's press on, and let's look for even better things in the years to come.

Revd Simon Reed
27th April 2008

Me? A leader? Surely not?

Why not? The need for people to take responsibility, to influence others for good, is all around us - in church, in work, in the home, in the neighbourhood, in life. A leader is simply a person who influences others. It's an ability a few are born with but a skill many can learn.

John Maxwell is an internationally recognised leadership expert. His books have sold over 12 million copies. His training seminars are widely used by businesses and public organisations. A committed Christian with church leadership experience, he also runs a charity to provide free training in the developing world

This course has a double aim. It will help us to give better leadership in different areas of church life, but since the principles and practices are applicable anywhere, this will also help us develop in our working lives and anywhere else we are able to exercise influence.

The course consists of eight one-hour sessions placed at roughly two monthly intervals to allow us to take in and apply what we're learning. Each consists of DVD input, group discussion, and personal reflection.

The first four sessions will take place 8-9pm at the Church of the Ascension starting on Monday June 9th.

This course is open to anyone. To find out more and book for the course please pick up a flyer from church or contact Simon.

Sylvia however had been Church Warden at the Ascension since 1993, an amazing fifteen years. She also has the distinction of having been at the Ascension since the church first opened! She oversaw the interregnum which led to Simon's appointment in 1996 and has used her gifts as an organiser and administrator to great effect especially in the Warden's key task of looking after the church fabric.

In recognition of Sylvia's long, faithful, and devoted service, the PCC asked the AGM to confer up on her the title of "Church Warden Emeritus," which the meeting did joyfully and unanimously. The title is an honorific one but it recognises the ongoing stature of a person who has given outstanding service in this area of Christian ministry.

We are delighted that we will continue to have the benefit of Sylvia and Kester's experience on PCC and Deanery Synod respectively. We are also confident that the lay leadership of the Parish is in safe hands with the appointment of former Deputy Wardens Liz Williams and Paul Troczynski to fill the vacant posts. Please do encourage and support them in their work.