New Priest in Charge
It is a well known saying that you can take the boy out of Norfolk but you can't take Norfolk out of the boy. Despite moving away to London and abroad to Spain I find myself repeatedly drawn back to my home county of Norfolk. No longer will my accent be exposed to ridicule!
I now find myself not just in Norfolk but beside the sea in the lovely villages of Winterton, Hemsby, Somerton and Horsey each with a treasure-house of a church. This is my first parish where I am "Priest in Charge" having served my apprenticeship down in Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. What, for me, is so interesting about working in these villages is that there is such a discernible sense of community-identity. I hope to help that by promoting as much activity in the church as possible and by living out the great commandment to love your neighbour as yourself. The Church of England is there to serve its community. All residents of the parish have the right to be baptized, married (with some exceptions) or have their funeral in their parish church. I want everyone to know that these churches are their churches, built and handed down to us through the generosity of our ancestors.
An open church that is open and prayed in has a different atmosphere to one which is kept locked. Prayer is at the heart of what we do, and morning and evening we pray for the people of our villages. Any special prayer requests are offered up. Somerton and Horsey churches are always open for visits and private prayer. Hemsby is open on weekday mornings from 10am to 12noon during the summer. We are experimenting with keeping Winterton open to the public despite some regrettable thefts and vandalism.
The Christian faith has been embedded in these villages for well over a thousand years. There is no longer any compulsion to come to church, but all are invited, all will be welcomed. The Christian story is still being written and told, so why not come along to our churches to hear what God has to say to us today.
Parish Mass at Winterton every Sunday at 9.15am.
Parish Communion at Hemsby every Sunday at 10.45am.
Children and their families are always welcome and especially on the first Sunday of the month at Hemsby.
For details of services at Somerton and Horsey please contact the Revd Albert Cadmore on 01493 668762.
If there is any way in which the church can be at the service of its community or help anyone in pastoral need, please contact Fr Adrian Ling at Winterton Rectory on 01493 393227.