At All Saints church in Sedgley on Sunday, Giles Joiner was installed as Team Vicar in the benefice of Gornal and Sedgley by Bishop Anne Hollinghurst. It was a joyful service, attended by over 100 people, and was designed to offer a warm welcome to Giles and his family, and introduce them to each congregation in the benefice.
As well as All Saints, Gornal and Sedgley benefice includes St Peter's Church in Upper Gornal and St Andrew's Church, The Straits. As Team Vicar Giles will have special responsibility for St Peter and St Andrew, although all the churches in the team work closely together.
Diane Cooksey was installed as Renewal Leader in May as All Saints Sedgley is one of our Renewal Projects and has received funding from the national church to help grow the congregation. In turn this growth will bless the other churches in the group, helping them to become healthier and more sustainable.
Archdeacon Nikki Groarke preached at the service on Luke 4:16-21, a passage Giles had selected where Jesus shares what he has been called to do. She said:
“As a renewal project you have a mission plan and a clear team vision, to worship God, welcome all and serve your community. Your three great centres of worship – each unique and bringing different gifts to the table, have united around this parish vision.”
“Reaching out to our communities is a major element in the renewal plans. Giles will of course be spending time in St Andrew’s and St Peter’s, but he will also be spending time out and about, walking the patch, chatting at the school gate, listening to people’s needs and building relationships. Our hope and desire is that these churches will grow, both in the current congregations, and in new worshipping communities, where the good news is shared with those for whom traditional church is a bit alien and haven’t yet really encountered the God who loves them and wants to invite them into the Christian family.”
“The church has a different message of love and compassion in our increasingly troubled world. With wisdom and sensitivity our voice can make a difference, and all will be welcome here under Diane and Giles’ leadership.”
Giles was previously Assistant Curate in The Saltway Team and had served there for just over 3 years.
He said:
“I have lots of highlights from my time with The Saltway Team. I really enjoyed doing ‘Open the Book’ at St Peter’s C of E Primary School in Droitwich. We launched a Café church at our contemporary gathering which was aimed at families. It was good to have something to invite people to that was less of a jump for parents and children not used to church services. I also enjoyed being involved in the Civic life of the town and serving as a trustee at Coventry Homes which is our Alms Housing Association.”
He added:
“I’m really excited for this new role in Gornal and Sedgley! I’m looking forward to being involved in the Renewal project though my focus will be St Peter and St Andrew, where there’s already lots of great work going on. There are exciting opportunities to build on that and see more people come to faith across the towns. I’m also looking forward to seeing how we can be a shining light in serving those communities in which we find ourselves.”
After the service Diane Cooksey said:
“It is wonderful to have Giles and his family join with us at this exciting time here in Gornal and Sedgley. We are currently developing the team that will lead on the Mission Plan for the Renewal and Giles will have a key part in this. He comes with many different gifts and skills that will compliment those offered by others and I'm sure his passion for seeing people of all ages come to faith will be a real blessing. We are praying that he, Stephanie and the children settle well into the communities and churches here and embrace all that they have to offer.”
Giles has now moved with his wife Steph and two children aged six and three to the Black Country.
Giles is very sporty and has a great love of Pickleball. This move brings him closer to Telford where the UK centre for Pickleball is located!
Giles also enjoys reading detective novels, and spending time with his family walking, and visiting parks and cafes.
Please pray for Giles in his new role and for his family as they settle into their new community.
