My other post from this booklet can be read at:
http://tonymusings.blogspot.com/2020/04/st-ouens-church-in-late-1980s.html
Twelve Years as Churchwarden
by Brian Vibert
Ken Syvret and I took office together as Churchwardens in May 1976. We had both served our apprenticeship as Almoners and we felt that we had a good idea of the tasks that lay ahead. Ken replaced Jim Le Feuvre and took on responsibility for Le Tresor; I replaced my father, Harold, and took over the accounts for La Charite. In 1981 Martin Hewlett stepped into Ken's place when he resigned through pressure of other commitments.
What have been the highlights of the past twelve years? Never did I anticipate that one of the duties would be to deal with two homeless visitors who had camped down for the night with their gas-stove in the belfry. Nor did I envisage setting up a generator in the Churchyard to provide power to light the Church after the 1987 hurricane.
Some duties, though, I have carefully avoided and I confess that I have never visited the local hostelries during the hours of divine service on a Sunday to turf out those who should be worshipping in Church!
As Churchwardens we have responsibility for the maintenance of the fabric of the Church and Rectory and it is our duty to ensure that the Church building is suitably fit and comfortable for worship. Much time and effort have therefore been expended in that direction.
The Church was re-wired in 1976; the whole of the interior (excluding the Epiphany Chapel) was stripped of its old plaster and re-rendered and decorated between 1978 and 1981; the Fellowship Area was created in 1978 and later the Vestry was enlarged; various external walls were re-pointed; a new toilet was built; the car park was re-surfaced; an amplification system was installed in 1983; external lighting was improved to cover the paths and car park; televisions made their appearance in 1986 to enable internal visual relay throughout the Church, and the aisles, chancel and sanctuary were re-carpeted; the stained glass windows were refurbished in 1987; re-decoration, externally and internally, has taken place at regular intervals; and in 1988 there are plans to enlarge the car park.
The Rectory has also claimed much time and energy but the new building, opened in 1987, will save future generations of Churchwardens many of the problems we have experienced. In most of these projects we have worked closely with John Pirouet and Arthur Queree, who have both served the Parish as Connetable, and with the two Procureurs du Bien Public.
I praise God that I have been part of the team that has been involved with these material changes. However the real and lasting joy has been in spiritual matters where we have seen the realisation of "young men's visions and old men's dreams" (Joel 2,28) as the Holy Spirit has transformed the worship and witness of the Lord's people in the Parish Church.
Edward Richardson, who retired in 1976, laid a sound foundation on which Dennis Gurney was able to build in his seven energetic years from 1977-1984. During that time the importance of lay involvement came to the fore and many of us began to use God's gifts in a new way to His glory; the services were modified and the Church became more active in its outreach.
In 1985, Ray Speck joined us bringing his gifts to the life of the fellowship. He has led us to appreciate worship in a fresh way, to know the relevance and power of God's Word in our day, to grow in our faith and to serve each other in love. As a result the work amongst the young people has blossomed; the prayer life of dozens of us has been enriched; the eight house groups now cater for over eighty members; new families have been drawn into the fellowship and our services are an increasing source of blessing.
Over the years it has been exciting to see a transformation in financial commitment as we have discovered God's plan for tithing and the value of covenanting. The faithfulness of many has enabled us to meet all our parochial and diocesan responsibilities and to support generously God's work in the Island and overseas.
As I am released from the duties of Churchwarden, I am delighted to close the door on countless time-consuming meetings. I look back nevertheless with gratitude on the privilege of working as a servant of Christ in the historic office of "surveillant" with the loving support and encouragement of Hazel, all my family and the members of the fellowship. I look forward to continuing in the servant role with the commission of all disciples to share the riches we have in Jesus Christ. I am conscious that Satan has cause to be more active than ever and I urge all who read this to be constant in prayer for Ray, for the Churchwardens and for all in leadership in the Church
Twelve Years as Churchwarden
by Brian Vibert
Ken Syvret and I took office together as Churchwardens in May 1976. We had both served our apprenticeship as Almoners and we felt that we had a good idea of the tasks that lay ahead. Ken replaced Jim Le Feuvre and took on responsibility for Le Tresor; I replaced my father, Harold, and took over the accounts for La Charite. In 1981 Martin Hewlett stepped into Ken's place when he resigned through pressure of other commitments.
What have been the highlights of the past twelve years? Never did I anticipate that one of the duties would be to deal with two homeless visitors who had camped down for the night with their gas-stove in the belfry. Nor did I envisage setting up a generator in the Churchyard to provide power to light the Church after the 1987 hurricane.
Some duties, though, I have carefully avoided and I confess that I have never visited the local hostelries during the hours of divine service on a Sunday to turf out those who should be worshipping in Church!
As Churchwardens we have responsibility for the maintenance of the fabric of the Church and Rectory and it is our duty to ensure that the Church building is suitably fit and comfortable for worship. Much time and effort have therefore been expended in that direction.
The Church was re-wired in 1976; the whole of the interior (excluding the Epiphany Chapel) was stripped of its old plaster and re-rendered and decorated between 1978 and 1981; the Fellowship Area was created in 1978 and later the Vestry was enlarged; various external walls were re-pointed; a new toilet was built; the car park was re-surfaced; an amplification system was installed in 1983; external lighting was improved to cover the paths and car park; televisions made their appearance in 1986 to enable internal visual relay throughout the Church, and the aisles, chancel and sanctuary were re-carpeted; the stained glass windows were refurbished in 1987; re-decoration, externally and internally, has taken place at regular intervals; and in 1988 there are plans to enlarge the car park.
The Rectory has also claimed much time and energy but the new building, opened in 1987, will save future generations of Churchwardens many of the problems we have experienced. In most of these projects we have worked closely with John Pirouet and Arthur Queree, who have both served the Parish as Connetable, and with the two Procureurs du Bien Public.
I praise God that I have been part of the team that has been involved with these material changes. However the real and lasting joy has been in spiritual matters where we have seen the realisation of "young men's visions and old men's dreams" (Joel 2,28) as the Holy Spirit has transformed the worship and witness of the Lord's people in the Parish Church.
Edward Richardson, who retired in 1976, laid a sound foundation on which Dennis Gurney was able to build in his seven energetic years from 1977-1984. During that time the importance of lay involvement came to the fore and many of us began to use God's gifts in a new way to His glory; the services were modified and the Church became more active in its outreach.
In 1985, Ray Speck joined us bringing his gifts to the life of the fellowship. He has led us to appreciate worship in a fresh way, to know the relevance and power of God's Word in our day, to grow in our faith and to serve each other in love. As a result the work amongst the young people has blossomed; the prayer life of dozens of us has been enriched; the eight house groups now cater for over eighty members; new families have been drawn into the fellowship and our services are an increasing source of blessing.
Over the years it has been exciting to see a transformation in financial commitment as we have discovered God's plan for tithing and the value of covenanting. The faithfulness of many has enabled us to meet all our parochial and diocesan responsibilities and to support generously God's work in the Island and overseas.
As I am released from the duties of Churchwarden, I am delighted to close the door on countless time-consuming meetings. I look back nevertheless with gratitude on the privilege of working as a servant of Christ in the historic office of "surveillant" with the loving support and encouragement of Hazel, all my family and the members of the fellowship. I look forward to continuing in the servant role with the commission of all disciples to share the riches we have in Jesus Christ. I am conscious that Satan has cause to be more active than ever and I urge all who read this to be constant in prayer for Ray, for the Churchwardens and for all in leadership in the Church
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