Welcome to the Upper Valley Wylye Valley Team
Growing in the Love of God
Upper Wylye Valley Team
Last Updated: 22 February 2019 What's New ?
Welcome
This website gives a broad overview of life in the Upper Wylye Valley, an insight into the various groups of people who contribute to the myriad activities that take place here and, we hope, a glimpse of not only what happens but of where the challenges remain and where the gaps can be filled. It is a beautiful part of rural England, dormant in mid-winter but ready to burgeon as the snowdrops and aconites emerge to give us hope that Spring is coming. Early daffodils in sheltered spots confirm that promise. The website itself is dynamic in that it is always 'work in progress'; it is updated periodically but sometimes articles or activities that seem to have 'passed their sell-by date' remain because they can be seen as an example rather than just an advertisement. For those seeking a pot-pourri of happenings, occurrences and events, may we point you to the Upper Wylye Parish News for current items and to its archive for previous ones. Whatever your interest, we welcome you to this site and hope you find what you are looking for.
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The Vacancy - and where we are in the process
We are managing change in the Upper Wylye Valley Team.
With the departure of Revd Ali Morley in the Spring of 2018, we are officially in a ‘Vacancy’ and despite advertising in the Summer in the Church Times for a new Priest-in-Charge, no applicants have emerged yet. The Ven Alan Jeans, Archdeacon of Sarum writes to us:
“The closing date for enquiries for the post of Priest-in-Charge did not produce any applicants. This is not an unusual situation for me, which I experience in other vacancies across the Archdeaconry, and we know there is someone 'out there' for you. Having met with the Rural Dean and your Selection Panel, I am greatly encouraged to hear that your Ministry team is coping well, bolstered by the committed group of PCC officers in your church communities. Please continue to help in any way you can. Do also continue your prayers for the right person to come and join us. The system will move in support as quickly as it can but also as slowly as is prudent.
My prayers and best wishes for a positive and speedy appointment for you”.
We are not downhearted, and the Archdeacon’s message is, in its way, reassuring. We did not expect applicants in the run-up to Christmas but now the New Year is upon us, we advertise again in Church Times on 18 and 25 January with a closing date of 22nd February; shortlisting takes place on 27th February and interviews over two days 20/21 March 2019.
The Team Profile, which complements and supplements this website, has been updated for the new year of 2019 and is published here ; it is also on the Salisbury Diocesan website. The prayer we are all using at this time is below. For the time being, the Team Vicar, Revd Clifford Stride, is in charge and he is supported by a robust and resilient organisation of retired clergy, lay worship leaders and many others that is determined to ensure that life in our valley, in our churches and in our communities continues as seamlessly as possible. Clergy details can be found via the website Menu.
A period of Vacancy can often be a time of opportunity as well as reflection and the spiritual life of our Team carries on not just as usual but optimistically. We look back with pride but forward with anticipation to building, under new leadership, on the firm foundations we are so fortunate to have. For now, we are ‘keeping calm and carrying on’, but always energised by the prospect of identifying and attracting a new Priest-in-Charge.
The Team Prayer that we are all using at this time is shown below:
Eternal God, loving Father,
You have taught us through your Son how to care for all your people:
Be present with us in these months of change.
Guide our decisions and help us to know your will,
that this may be a time of discovery and growth.
Teach us to value each other’s gifts in ministry,
to find new ways of reaching out to our neighbours,
that in your good time we may welcome our new
Team Rector Designate with confidence and joy
for the glory of your name and the building up of your kingdom.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord - Amen
