After five years as Community Priest in the Parish of Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham, based at St John’s Church, Rev Jeremy Tear has accepted the offer of a new post at the West Warrington Team Ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool.
St John’s Churchwarden, Richard Purkis said, “Jeremy’s initiatives have helped St John’s, St Peter’s and St Margaret’s to be more outward looking and mission minded. During his time with us the Lower Caversham Community Partnership has established the the popular 3Cs café, open every Tuesday in St John’s Church. He has revitalised the church’s ministry to Micklands School and New Bridge Nursery: Micklands School Carol Service has become established in the Church’s calendar and New Bridge have their Nativity Play in St John’s Church. Fresh expressions of church have been developed in the form of the Amersham Road Cooking Club and the Gosbrook Garden Growers. St John’s has a non-eucharistic all age service on the second Sunday of each month and the Sunday Club is flourishing. These are considerable achievements, which have been built on the sure foundation of faith in Jesus Christ: they will stand the test of time.”
A farewell service and lunch was held in St John’s Church on Sunday 26 July, attended by people from across the Parish of Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham, to thank Jeremy, Emma, Elizabeth and Josie for their many achievements during their time with us. Richard Purkis presented Elizabeth and Josie with St Christopher necklaces to wish them safe and well for their journeys and new lives in Warrington. Emma received a basket of flowers and a gift token to use at what is probably the largest Marks and Spencer in the world. The St John’s Sunday Club would not have become the success that it is without her. Jeremy was given a framed photomontage of the organisations that he was involved with in the parish and the fresh expressions initiatives, together with a cheque from people within our churches and the local community.
We hope that Jeremy finds fulfillment in his new post where he will be licensed on 26th September at 4.00pm.
On the left: Richard Purkis, Churchwarden, and Rev Mike Smith, Rector, present Jeremy with a photomontage of scenes from his time in the Parish of Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham.
On the right: Jeremy and Emma Tear cut one of the two cakes that were made for the occasion by members of the parish.