Richard is new link in the Necklace at Brize Norton
Recently at Sheffield Cathedral the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield, admitted Richard Waller to the office of Evangelist within the Anglican Church and this month, Richard (age 41) and originally from Pudsey in West Yorkshire, was licensed by the Bishop of Dorchester the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher at St John’s Church Carterton to begin his work as Parish Evangelist in St Britius, Brize Norton and Carterton in the Oxford diocese of the Church of England.
Former teacher Richard is excited rather than daunted by this prospect and adds, “I have been greatly challenged throughout my training, and on many occasions have needed to rely, totally, on the promises of God. He has not let me down”, comments Richard who looks forward to joining the team vicar Rev Roy Turner and Team Rector Rev Roger Billings and team in Carterton.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said recently that mission is about finding out what God is already doing and joining in and that is exactly what Richard and his wife Janette plan to do.
“I intend to focus on providing a Christian presence through drop-ins, after school clubs and special events and activities”, comments Richard who will be based on the new Shilton Park estate which is set to grow to a community of around 1,400 new homes over the next few years. It is here that a new project called The Necklace project seeks to establish a Christian Community in Shilton Park .
The Necklace project is at the heart of showing Christ’s love to the community in innovative and practical ways and it is where Richard will be working half of his time. Richard comments: “I aim to make the most of a fantastic opportunity for mission to this new and emerging housing estate. The project aims to be a key to life and caring for everyone on this estate and that is a vision that really excites me. Janette and I hope that this will be the beginning of a long and fruitful ministry for Christ here in Carterton, no doubt with much learning and re-moulding along the way.” In addition Richard will chair the youth committee and have a special responsibility for growing the work with children and young people 11+, leading assemblies in five local schools, as well as leading some church services.
Richard says he is likely to spend most of his time outside of the church and is already busy helping to organise a fun-day for 11th September that will feature the RAF Falcons Parachute Team, human table-top football, and archery and fencing provided by Adventure Plus. “You will be surprised at how much people are exploring their spirituality these days and my ministry will help them to focus on some of the answers they are seeking to the bid questions of life.”
Richard is looking forward to encouraging and enabling members of the church to recognise and use their gifts and abilities as evangelists, a move welcomed by the Rector Roger Billings who adds; “ 'We are delighted that Richard is joining the team here at Brize Norton and Carterton. Richard will be working with the Revd Roy Turner in the new housing estate on the Necklace project and heading up the young people’s team. He has a real gift of getting alongside ordinary people and sharing his faith in an open and positive way that engages with people where they are. I am delighted he is joining the team here and I am sure he will make a real difference to our approach to mission in the area.”
Church Army has chosen as it’s theme for this year’s Church Army Sunday held on 25th September and as well as getting the backing of a number of bishops and clergy Richard thinks this sums up his approach to ministry; “'If we are to remain true to our calling, then we need to spend most of our time outside church buildings, engaging with those who, for whatever reason, will not enter those buildings, yet have openness to faith issues.”
Church Army has chosen as it’s theme for this year’s Church Army Sunday held on 25th September and as well as getting the backing of a number of Bishops and clergy David thinks this sums up his approach to ministry; “'If we are to remain true to our calling, then we need to spend most of our time outside church buildings, engaging with those who, for whatever reason, will not enter those buildings, yet have openness to faith issues. “
“Evangelists need to be working outside church buildings and church culture, sitting loosely to it, working with those who have little or no meaningful relationship with the church, discovering ways of creating fresh, relevant expressions of Christian community with which they can engage.”
