This Month
CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY
St Edward’s Church was full on Tuesday 22 February to witness the Institution of David Anderson as Vicar and to welcome him, his wife Elaine and his family to his new ministry.
The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt. Reverend Stephen Cottrell, led the welcome to David, and received the presentation of David from the Reverend. Lister Tonge, chaplain of New College, Oxford, which is the patron of St Edward’s parish. After a reading, read by Elfan Jones from St John’s gospel, the Bishop preached on the theme of the reading – “I am the true vine, you are the branches”.
The choir sang the anthem “Beati quorum via” by Stanford, a setting of verse 1 of psalm 119 – “Blessed are those who walk in the way of the Lord”.
The service then continued with the Institution and Induction: this comprised the affirmation of faith by David, his oath of allegiance to the Sovereign and of obedience to the Bishop. The Deed of Institution was read by the Bishop, concluding with the words “Receive the cure of souls……”. The Induction into possession of the benefice of St Edward’s was taken by the Area Dean and took place at the main door of the church, where David was given the keys of the church by the Churchwardens. 
He then tolled the bell to mark the start of his ministry and was given a map of the parish.
When the procession had moved to the chancel, the Area Dean placed David in his stall, which marked his installation as parish priest.
The Bishop then welcomed David as the new priest, leading a warm and lengthy round of applause from the congregation. Representatives from the civic community, the deanery, the parish, the uniformed organisations, the schools and our ecumenical partners then in turn welcomed David before the Bishop invited the sharing of the Peace.
To celebrate David’s new ministry, members of the congregation presented David with symbols of his ministry, moving around the church as this took place: a flagon of water was presented at the font, a bible at the lectern, a book of prayers at the prayer desk and a chalice and paten at the altar. The service concluded with the congregation affirming their commitment to David’s ministry and singing the hymn “Christ triumphant, ever reigning”.
This was a splendid occasion, excellently organised and presented, which combined the solemnity of an important ecclesiastical occasion with the informality of a personal response from the people in welcoming the new vicar.
Afterwards, a reception was held in the Wykeham Hall where David and Elaine, and their family and friends, were able to meet many people from Romford and the parish. Canapes and wine were served by members of the sixth form of St Edward’s senior school. Many thanks are due to all those who contributed in various ways to this memorable evening.
The Order of Service (PDF 259KB)
PICTURES FROM THE INSTALLTION
OF THE REVEREND DAVID ANDERSON
NEW VICAR APPOINTED FOR ST EDWARD'S
The Reverend David Anderson Appointed Vicar.
New College, Oxford and the Diocese of Chelmsford are pleased to announce the appointment of The Reverend David Anderson as Vicar of St Edward the Confessor Romford.
Fr. David will be Instituted by Bishop Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, and Inducted by the Archdeacon of West Ham’s representative in St Edward the Confessor Church on Tuesday 22nd February 2011 in the evening.
David is currently a team vicar in the Benefice of Wrexham, responsible for All Saint’s Church. He is also the Anglican Chaplain of St Joseph’s Catholic & Anglican High School.
David was ordained in 1999 serving has title in North Walsham in Norfolk before becoming Rector of Stalham & P I C of Smallburgh.
David moved to Wales in 2006.
Before being ordained David taught music and was Head of Expressive Arts in schools in The Wirral and Norfolk.
Married to Elaine, they have two daughters. 
Please pray for David and Elaine as they prepare to move to Romford at the start of their new ministry. Also remember the Parish of Wrexham as they start the process to appoint a new Team Vicar.
ST EDWARD'S CHURCH CHOIR MAKE 'INSPIRATIONAL'
VISIT TO WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
The choir’s cathedral visit this August was our 10th residential course to take place since our first full week spent at Wells Cathedral in 1990. It was very fitting that we were back in Winchester, in this our 600th anniversary year, because of our connection with William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester (1366-1404) who founded New College, Oxford – and they, in turn, are our Patrons here at St Edward’s.
All of us had a truly remarkable week and the standard of singing was very high indeed. The Precentor said, after our final evensong, that we were one of the best visiting choirs they have had and definitely in the ‘A’ Category!
We sang all the choral services in place of the cathedral choir, which included five weekday choral evensongs and three services on Sunday. Music ranged from Tudor composers such as Tallis and Taverner through the great romantics Brahms, Stanford, Ireland and Wood to more contemporary works by Howells and Rutter.
Our organist for the week was Stuart Nicholson, a former pupil of mine, and a student at St Edward’s Schools’ before completing his degree at the Royal College of Music, London. Stuart is now Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. He is a very fine accompanist and an outstanding musician of the highest calibre and it is always a huge delight to have him with us.
In addition to the fine music making there was a real sense of teamwork and community spirit that prevailed during the week. There were lots of opportunities to share and socialise with each other and to be able to develop deeper friendships and have fun together.
Planning and completing a week like this is a mammoth undertaking and could not be done without the support of so many people – I must thank James Prior (administrator), Debbie Venner, Ann Sheppard and Sally Lynch (staff), David Sheppard (assistant organist) for all their hard work and expertise. In addition, I must thank the choir members themselves who gave freely of their time and worked so hard to produce such a high standard of music and discipline.
I would like to thank personally all who contributed financially to the week: Parents, Adult choir members, Friends, PCC of St Edward’s, Trustees of the Wykeham Centre and various other generous personal donations as well as contributions to fund-raising events without which this week would not have been possible.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to name the real highlights for me, as there were so many! However, to experience the eight or so young adults who learnt, rehearsed and performed by themselves a close harmony arrangement of Billy Joel’s song ‘And so it goes’ at the ‘Awards’ evening was extremely emotional and summed up for me truly what this week was all about.
If I had to single out a musical highpoint it would have to be Howell’s ‘Te Deum’ at Mattins on Sunday – such powerful words set to such inspirational music and performed in such a magnificent building and acoustic - the choir and organist gave it everything they had, and this is what made it that extra bit special.
It was such a privilege for me to be in Winchester with such a wonderful group of amazing people - I am so proud to be their music director.
Jonathan Venner
Some comments from the Chorister about their week in Winchester:
I’ve enjoyed saying grace before meals
I have enjoyed the company of father John Cutter [an elderly retired priest] and sally’s endless quotes. And, of course, Morning Prayer.
Having a very strong wine at communion!
I liked everything, especially when all the trebles were singing Michael Buble in our kitchen. When I found a cat outside it was really friendly.
Very enjoyable trip, lovely to see everyone again, like a big family gathering. I enjoyed making JV and Debbie cry with ‘And so it goes’ at the award ceremony. Singing the Te Deum was one of many highlights. Can’t wait for the next cathedral week.
I’ve enjoyed the swimming park and playing mariokart all the time [they didn’t play it all the time, really]
I really loved all the beautiful music, especially ‘I saw a new heaven’ and the Te Deum, and the way it sounded in the cathedral. I also loved spending time with all my friends and becoming closer to people.
I’ve enjoyed the midnight football and the swimming park.
I enjoyed the music we sang and I also liked the recreation night when we played rounders and bulldog and had many funny evening memories
I really liked singing in the cathedral and the way the choir sounded in it, especially in the Te Deum and the Taverner. I loved seeing the giraffes at the zoo and Sally’s Michael Buble collection (!). It was also lovely to stay with friends all week (and family!).
I liked staying with my friends all week and singing in the cathedral.
I have enjoyed the fantastic opportunity to sing in such a beautiful building with amazing history and acoustics. I have also enjoyed the outings to Romsey Abbey and Pizza Express. The meal times when you could see how close all the trebles and men are. Wonderful! “)
I liked singing Evensong, especially Dyson.
CHORAL EVENSONG ON SUNDAY 11th JULY 2010
Please note: Choral Evensong on Sunday 11th July 2010 will be at 6.00pm.
FRIDAY SERVICES AT ST EDWARD'S
On Fridays during July and August only there will be no services of Morning or Evening Prayer and no service of Holy Communion at 1.10pm.
JONATHAN VENNER (DIRECTOR OF MUSIC) HONOURED
WITH MAYOR'S CIVIC AWARD
Dedicated Choirmaster Jonathan Venner has been rewarded for 35 years as Director of Music at St Edward’s Church, Romford, with a Civic Award for Services to the Community.
Jonathan, is team manager for Creative/Performance Arts and Media at Havering Sixth Form College and has, over the years, trained hundreds of children and adults to sing and play instruments.
He was presented with the London Borough of Havering Mayor’s Civic Award by Mayor Cllr Roger Ramsey at a ceremony at Langtons House, Hornchurch, on April 28.
From his early days as a choirboy at Ashford Parish Church, Kent, he had his heart set on being a music teacher and has fulfilled his dreams with teaching posts in Havering since 1979 at The Royal Liberty, Frances Bardsley and Emerson Park schools, before taking up his position at the sixth form college in 1991.
He was appointed as church organist while still a student at the Royal Academy of Music and has gone on to establish a fine tradition of choral music. Jonathan’s first major task was to oversee the build and installation of the new Walker organ at the west end of the church, in Market Place, Romford.
He directs the church choir and in addition to singing at the two Sunday choral services, they perform regularly in major cathedrals around the country, most recently in April of this year at Westminster Abbey.
The choir, under Jonathan’s direction, have made a number of commercial recordings as well as taking part in major events in Romford, including the visit of Her Majesty the Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in March 2004 and more recently, in February of this year, for Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the service of thanksgiving for the 600th anniversary of St Edward’s Church and 300th anniversary of St Edward’s schools.
This talented musician, who plays the oboe, organ and piano, is also the founder and music director of St Edward’s Music Society, a charity which was formed in 1991 to promote music-making in Romford and the surrounding area.
Jonathan is married to Debbie Venner, who works at College as part-time PA to Principal Paul Wakeling and PA to Pat McConalogue, Assistant Principal Resources. Debbie and Jonathan are pictured together.
On receiving the Mayor’s award, Jonathan said: “I was very surprised and indeed honoured to be presented with this award. I share it with all the talented students and adults I have had the pleasure to teach and to collaborate with in music making, over many years.”
Press article from Romford Recorder
Pres article from Living
BISHOP DAVID HAWKINS CONFIRMS 39 CANDIDATES
Bishop David Hawkins attended St Edward's on 13th June at the main 10am Holy Communion service were 39 people were confirmed into the church, 38 from St. Edward’s and one from All Saints Cranham.
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Bishop David Hawkins, the Bishop of Barking presided and confirmed the candidates. During his sermon he made a chocolate cake using a microwave”! This was to illustrate the way that faith spreads and rises in us.
29 of the candidates were young people aged 11 or 12 in year 6 of St. Edward’s Primary School. They have spent many weeks preparing for their confirmation in half hour lunchtime ‘lessons’ at school, with Reverend Sally. We thought about what Christians believe in (God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and what it means to be a Christian (worship, prayer, the Church and reading the Bible). We also worked through a booklet about Holy Communion so that we know a little more of what we do when we receive the bread and wine together.
As the day drew near, the youngsters also reflected on what being confirmed means to them:
Marlin: I am looking forward to making promises and moving onto the next step as a Christian.
Henry: I am looking forward to extending my belief in God and my religious beliefs.
Thomas: I am looking forward to getting closer to God
Ian: I am excited finally to be a proper member of Christianity
Devina: I am looking forward to promising to love and honour the church, and to be a member
Oluadamilola: I am looking forward to becoming a true Christian and making a big step in Christian life
Breanna: being connected with God by sharing his body and hos blood and giving a section of our heart to him
Vilte: being able to prove that I am a member of the church and ebbing able to have bread and wine with everybody else
Maisie: I look forward to making my own promises for myself
James: what I am looking forward to most about being confirmed is having a fuller relationship with God
Emily: I can keep the promises my mum and dad made
Eight adults spent several hour long evening sessions together exploring big questions in life, such as ‘what happens before we are born and after we die?’, ‘can a scientist be a good Christian?’ and ‘why do bad things happen to good people?’. We also talked through the basics of Christian belief and practice, such as reading the Bible, what the different parts of the church are for, prayer and basic beliefs.
At the Confirmation service itself the candidates (as they are known) together made for themselves the promises that their parents and godparents had made on their behalf at baptism (for some, many years earlier):
I turn to Christ. I repent of my sins. I renounce evil.
The Bishop then laid his hand on the head of each individually and said:
N, God has called you by name and made you his own.
Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit.
Confirmation can take place at any age and is a personal and public statement of faith. In the Church of England it usually also admits a person to receive the bread and wine at communion.
ESSEX ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS MARK
600th & 300th ANNIVERSARIES WITH A PEAL
To mark the signifcant mile stone in the churches year, the 600th Anniversary of the Founding of St Edward's Church in 1410 and the Founding of St Edward's Church Schools in 1710, members from the Essex Assocation of Change Ringers rang a peal to commemorate this occasion.
The bells, in the present tower, date from the old chapel, with exception of the fifth bell which was recast for the new church in 1850. The tenor bell, which is also used to chime the hour, is the oldest bell and dates back to around 1410, which makes this occasion significant.
The peal took place on the afternoon of Sunday 16th May 2010. It lasted for 2 hours 56 minutes and was rung to the method of Grandsire Triples composed by J J Parker (12 part).
Treble Kate J Desbottes
2nd Anne L Rueff
3rd Anthony M. Faulkner
4th Jonathan R. Slack
5th Edward G. Mould
6th John W Stephenson
7th John E. Hawes(c)
Tenor James A. C. Prior
NEW ARCHDEACON OF DORSET
The Inauguration of the Ministry of Stephen Waine as Archdeacon of Dorset, took place on Sunday 18th April at Wimborne Minster.
The role of an archdeacon, in the Church of England, is a priest who works closely with the Bishop in looking after a diocese.
The archdeacon has a number of important public functions which are themselves each part of a network of relationships within the whole church:
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Responsible for inducting ministers to their pastoral charges in local churches;
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Responsible for admitting churchwardens each year at his Visitation;
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Responsible for presenting new deacons and priests at their ordination
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He has special responsibilty of the care for the fabric and property of the churches, and to hold a Visitation each year within the archdeaconary.
There are many other tasks and responsibilities that will be delegated to him by the Bishop.
Many people came from St Edward's, on two coaches and many cars, to support Stephen in the the start of his new ministry.
The Service was conducted by the Bishop of Sailsbury.
At The Collation the Bishop of Sherborne outlined the needs and requirements of the Archdeaconary of Dorset.
After the Collation the new Archdeacon was welcomed by representatives of the Diocese, its wider communities and by the congregation.
The Venerable Stephen Waine, Archdeacon of Dorset, preached on the Gospel reading (Luke 24: 13-35) the account of Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus following his resurrection. ‘Jesus himself came near and went with them’. He spoke of the need for the church to journey alongside people and of the inclusivity of the church.
At the end of the service the Bishop lead the Archdeacon of Dorset through the church meeting the congregation on the way through.
The Order of Service (PDF 445KB)
NEW BISHOP OF CHELMSFORD ANNOUNCED
The Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading, has been nominated by Her Majesty the Queen as Bishop of Chelmsford in succession to The Right Reverend John Gladwin. He will be the tenth Bishop of Chelmsford.
Bishop Stephen Cottrell said: “I was born and brought up in Essex, and it is still the place I think of as home. Now I have been invited to return to this large, diverse and richly varied diocese to serve as your bishop. It is an immense privilege.
“What sustains me in ministry is the joy and beauty of the gospel. I want us to be a church that is gospel centred, servant hearted and mission focused. I am hungry for us to be a church that connects with every person and every community.
“I am excited by the prospect of getting to know and working alongside the parishes and communities of East London and Essex that make up this great diocese. I look forward to working with new colleagues and making new friends. Building upon the work of those who have gone before us in the faith, together we can do something beautiful for God in the communities we have been called to serve.
“For me coming to Essex and East London feels like coming home. However this is not the end of the journey. We must set our sights on the glory of God and on his son Jesus Christ and on the needs of the world - this is the path we will travel together.”
The Bishop of Bradwell, Rt Revd Dr Laurie Green, added: “We are delighted that Bishop Stephen Cottrell is to become the new Diocesan Bishop of Chelmsford. Bishop Stephen is an exceptional man, whose abiding concern is that we all catch that glimpse of the wonder of God which can change our lives.
“He is man of prayer who has a shrewd eye for the important issues of the day. His books are always challenging and delightful, and he will bring new insights about how we should respond to God’s love and justice amidst the world’s challenges. He is family man of great warmth and charm, and we look forward to learning from him and working with him here in Essex and East London.”
More about Stephen Cottrell here.
NEW ARCHDEACON OF DORSET IS ANNOUNCED
Media Release 19/10/09 - The Bishop of Salisbury, Dr David Stancliffe, has announced that Reverend Stephen Waine, Vicar of the Parish of St Edward the Confessor, Romford, in the Diocese of Chelmsford, is to be the next Archdeacon of Dorset.
Stephen, 50, succeeds the Venerable Alastair Magowan, who became Bishop of Ludlow last month.
Dr Stancliffe said this morning, “Stephen is an experienced and passionate priest, who will bring energy and imagination to his ministry among us. We look forward enormously to having him as our colleague. It’s a very welcome appointment, and the Diocese – particularly the Archdeaconry of Dorset – is really fortunate to have him.”
“I am looking forward very much to becoming part of, and getting to know, the Diocese of Salisbury and Archdeaconry of Dorset, and to meeting the people who are the Church in Dorset and Wiltshire,” Stephen said today.
He studied Economic and Social Studies at the University of East Anglia before training for the priesthood at Westcott House, Cambridge.
After ordination he served as Assistant Curate of St Peter’s Collegiate Church Wolverhampton for four years and then, in 1988, became Minor Canon and Succentor of St Paul’s Cathedral.
In 1993 he moved to St Edward’s Romford, one of the major town centre parishes of the Diocese of Chelmsford, on the eastern edge of Greater London. He has been Assistant Area Dean of Havering since 2004.
He has a particular passion for creating ‘holy spaces’ where God can be encountered and has transformed his current parish’s buildings and worship.
He has a wide variety of hobbies: music (singing and listening), cooking, walking, caravanning, DIY, gardening, keeping poultry, golf, reading and armchair football and cricket.
Married to Liz, they have two children, William, 17, and Lucy, 15. Stephen expects to move to Dorset in April 2010, and will be joined by his family after A Levels and GCSEs are over.
