News
University Chaplain appointed as Priest
in Charge at Blean
The
Anglican Chaplain to the University of Kent, The Reverend Dr. Stephen Laird, has been appointed as Priest in Charge
of Blean, in addition to his role at the
University
of Kent.
Dr.
Laird will move into the benefice of Saint
Cosmus and Saint Damian in the Blean later this year and will
contribute to the work of the church's established
Ministry Leadership Team. Dr. Laird will
continue working at the University as Chaplain,
leader of the multi-faith team and Lecturer
in Theology and Religious Studies.
Dr.
Laird commented: Through my work at the
University I have forged some links with
the people of Blean, and I am delighted
that I will be living in this friendly parish.
The Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable
Sheila Watson, commented: This
appointment represents the Dioceses commitment
to the University and to the neighbouring
parishes .
Roger
Vickerman, Churchwarden
of Saint Cosmus
and St Damian in the Blean, commented: The
PCC and Churchwardens are delighted with
this new appointment and welcome the way
in which it reaffirms both the working of
the Ministry Leadership Team in the parish
and the close links with the University .
Dr.
Laird and his family hope to move into the
parish house at 24
Tyler Hill Road, Blean later this year when a date for Dr. Laird's licensing as Priest
in Charge will also be fixed.
The Church
comes to the rescue of the East Kent W.I.
The church was an unexpected
venue on 18th October for the group meeting
of the East Kent WI.
This meeting involved
60 or more delegates reporting to each
other and receiving reports of the official
business of the area and was arranged
to take place in the village hall.
The
President,
Mrs Audrey Swain, arrived at the hall
to set up at 1 o'clock only to find another
group had taken it upon themselves
to use
the hall at that time.
Rescue
arrived in the form of David Blackmore
who suggested
transferring the event to the church
and
this was done reasonably smoothly,
although it involved posting someone
to direct
visitors to the church.
What a success! The church looked even
more beautiful than usual, filled as it
was by the displays from the Flower Festival
a few days earlier and with autumn sunshine
streaming in.The talk was on the treasures
of Maidstone Museum and the ancient setting
of the church seemed highly appropriate
for hearing about artifacts from the past.
The
entertainment was provided by music students
from The Archbishops School who
sang some wonderful new settings of favourite
hymns- again the peaceful beauty of the
church enhanced, and was enhanced by
the lovely voices.
End
result? lots of admiration
and praise from the visitors who commented
on the seamless transfer to this unusual
venue. What is the phrase? snatching
victory from the jaws of defeat? Well
maybe it
was a small victory and our knight
in shining armour was David, but it certainly
introduced
the church to a lot of new people.
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