I feel it is now time to begin to define more specifically the role I shall adopt during 2008 in response to all that I have encountered. I am trying to balance the needs I hear and see, the heartfelt requests people make, the essence of the partnership covenant statement and of course the gifts and interests I bring. I hope that this will help provide clearer boundaries as to how and where I shall work and therefore really help the new partnership priest (as well as current colleagues and partners) have a complementary role when s/he arrives during 2008.

So here goes:
I shall continue to work with individuals and groups of those who are sharing in similar aspects of ministry (eg pastoral, children, music, liturgical). Currently, every week I have sessions with people on a one-to-one basis when we explore how God is working within and through them and how they might move forward in the future as disciples.

I shall continue to support those in licensed lay ministry, and those in training, and see them regularly where possible, exploring their continuing sense of call and ministry development.

I shall continue to have a role in all aspects of pastoral work and the occasional offices (baptisms, weddings and funerals), and share in this with others as we all continue to develop our ministries in these areas.

I shall continue to work towards establishing schemes of new authorised ministries for lay people-the first example of this will be for the pastoral visitors (Prepared to Care), and those to follow may include diocesan schemes for evangelists and worship leaders (making use of existing diocesan provision).

I shall visit most of the parishes, and in particular those in the Fishponds area for blocks of time, rather than participate in a revolving rota which results in a single parish seeing me on average only once every one or two months. During these periods of being 'in residence' I hope to continue general EBP work( Tiny Tots, children and youth work, assemblies, talks, developing PINC growth strategies, garden parties...) and combine it with specific ways of engaging with each parish. This will depend and vary from parish to parish.
For example, at All Saints I shall help develop the Services of the Word and the integration of the church-based worship with the contributions of the other groups eg Tiny Tots, Otters, Sunday School, Beavers. At St. John's I shall be involved with enabling congregational members develop their gifting further in response to the mission opportunities the congregation decide to concentrate upon. At St. Mary's I shall work with the congregation on developing a real appreciation of the implications of baptism, described as the 'ordination of all to the priesthood of all believers', and what that means in the life and mission of the church. Developing the three-way partnership between All Saints, St. Mary's and St Matthias/Dr. Bells will also be at the heart of my work.

I shall continue to read, think and pray (and dialogue) about what it means to be a non-hierarchical leader within our several communities and try and further develop this role.

Andre and I shall run a children's weekend away hopefully in the late Spring, and integrate it into the confirmation course.

In January 2008 I shall launch a Saturday morning community music school in Fishponds (during term time) that will incorporate three sessions:
Mini Music Makers - musical fun for those aged 3-5/6.
Junior Choir - For those of a primary school age (KS1/KS2)
Community (Non-Singers) Choir - for those who have never sang in a choir before for whatever reason, and of course anyone else who wants to come along.

I also will continue to run Singing Days but sometimes combine them with looking at resources for creating liturgies for different occasions in the church's year and in the secular year, eg harvest, father's day, valentines day.... These events will be called, 'Creating liturgy days'.
Proposed dates: Jan 13, April 13th, July 6th, Oct 5th. 12noon-3pm, including a bring and share lunch.

In terms of developing personal faith commitment (discipleship) I propose to run the following study courses throughout the year, mainly on Tuesday evenings, (7.30-9pm) at 11 Vicars Close:

• Celtic Gifts considering different forms of ministry in the Celtic church, which may have a close link with life today. Based on Robert Van de Weyer's book. (Apr 8,15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27)
• Uncommon Worship-looking at fairly traditional patterns of eucharistic worship within the churches, asking why we do it this or that way, and looking at how we may retain its character but perhaps increase the participation of all and gently remove its hierarchical focus. Based on Richard Giles' book. (Sep. 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21)
• 'Moving on in a mission shaped church' and 'Starting a fresh
  expression'.Based on the study courses and videos produced together by the CofE and the Methodist Church. (Jan 22, March 11, June 3, July 22, Sep2, Nov 11) This course is deliberately placed at intervals throughout the year to tie in with PCC and parish discussions on vision, growth and PINC.

Paul Rush, the Diocesan Evangelism Advisor will run his witnessing course for us twice in the Spring, 'Anything to Declare?'- Feb 9th (Beehive), Feb 23rd St. John's.

In response to requests for more in-depth bible study/teaching and a desire to experience more varied forms of worship, Anne Claar and I shall run 'Word and Worship' in three short bursts throughout the year. These sessions will be for all ages and last ninety minutes, and include:worship, teaching, and fellowship. They will run on Sunday afternoons between 2.30-4pm at a central Fishponds location (Jan 27, Feb3, 10, 17; May 4, 11?, 18, 25; Sep 7, 14, 21).

As part of my own continuing professional development I shall do the Bridge Builders course run by the Mennonites in London, which concentrates on conflict resolution. I also hope to go on the course on 'Messy Church' at Lee Abbey (arts and craft activities that form the basis of church for children and families). My retreat shall be at S Deiniol's Library, Hawarden in Wales, supplemented by quiet days throughout the year.

I hope this helps in understanding what I get up to and shall get up to next year, and I look forward to seeing many of you at some of these events which are designed in response to you and your requests. Please pray for me in this new and exciting role of partnership priest.

I also have a few ideas already for 2009! (eg the CPAS's 'Growing Leaders course).