Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali to step down

This morning it was announced that Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, who has been Bishop of Rochester for the last 15 years is to step down in September.
I have pasted the text of his letter to the clergy and laity of the diocese below:

From The Bishop of Rochester, to clergy and laity in the Diocese of Rochester.

March 2009

"Dear Colleague

I have decided that the time is now right for me to step down as Bishop of Rochester as from 1 September 2009. I will have been Bishop in the Diocese for nearly 15 years and during this time have valued my modest part in the life of the Church locally, nationally and globally.

I am hoping to work with a number of church leaders from areas where the church is under pressure who have asked me to assist them with education and training for their particular situation. Details of this arrangement are still being worked out.

We thank God for his blessings and for friends we have made in the Diocese in the past 15 years. I am so grateful to God for the friendship and loyalty of those around us and ask for your prayers as we take this step of faith 'not, knowing where we are going' (Heb II: 8).

Although I will be around, my official engagements in the diocese will cease after I have completed the Visitations in June, giving time for handover, some holiday and moving. My farewell service for the Diocese will be held at Rochester Cathedral on 12th September 2009 at 3.15 p.m. and further details will be circulated at a later date. Details about the process of appointing a new Bishop and the arrangements during the interregnum will also be published later.

Thank you for your fellowship in the Gospel these many years and I pray that God will continue to bless your own ministry as you proclaim Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ's service"

[Michael Nazir-Ali]

New organist needed

Seal Church needs a new organist and choir director - could it be you?

We are a friendly church with a long musical tradition. The organ is good, and there is a robed choir of adults and juniors. The incumbent REALLY ENJOYS good music (and is a passable sop. herself) and is inclined to say an enthusiastic YES to musical ideas. Pay is negotiable within RSCM rates, and over the last few years there have been about 6 weddings per year - 8 this year - and some church funerals too. We are prepared to be flexible if you can only offer part of the package we are looking for.

All in all it is an organist's dream! If you are an organist we'd love to hear from you.

More details here.

Seal school to be "ofstedded"

Seal C of E Primary school is having an Ofsted inspection this Thursday - inspectors now only give a few days notice of a visit. Please pray for the school community at this time - staff, pupils and governors, as it is always stressful to know that you are being observed and judged by others.
You can find out more about our school here

Anyone know a good organist???

Our organist, Dan, has told me this week that he wants to move on from Seal at Easter. He has been very happy here, but wants to take up other opportunities which he can’t fit around his commitments here. (He has a wonderful voice, for example, and would like to be able to do more singing.) Easter Sunday will be his last Sunday duty here, though he will be around to help with choir practice and weddings for a while longer. It will be a great loss to us here at Seal, both personally and musically. There will, of course, be an opportunity to express our appreciation of all he has given us over the ten years he has been here. We will begin to seek a new organist and choir director as soon as we can, but it may take a while to appoint someone, so I am sure you will be patient as we try to do the best we can in the interim.