A Welcome message from our vicar

Reverend Rose Lawley

 

Welcome!

My name is Rose Lawley, the Vicar in the Kidderminster Parish Church Team Ministry with special pastoral responsibility for St Oswald's Church in Broadwaters, as well as being the Industrial or Workplace Chaplain for Kidderminster and The Wyre Forest Area.

I moved to Kidderminster in January 2007 and took up my post on 19th February of that year, being warmly welcomed by so many people, but especially by the congregations of the newly formed L.E.P. (Local Ecumenical Partnership) between St Oswald's and the Methodist Church in Broadwaters.  We share many services throughout the year, Lent groups and have also formed a group called 'Connect 2', that meets monthly for Bible study, discussion or talks on many and varied subjects.

Following a meeting with the L.E.P. Steering Group, as part of the Covenant, we have decided that we should, as the church in Broadwaters, try to reach out and develop our connection with St Oswald's C E Primary School, which like many of the schools in Kidderminster, due to the reordering of the education system, has become larger and has taken on 'Primary' status.

We are developing assemblies in the school and also hold occasional services there, notably Christingle services, with input in the form of prayers and poems being included from some of the pupils of the school.

The Team Rector, The Revd. Canon Owain Bell has said that 'St Oswald's Church cannot claim any architectural distinction, but it shelters an unusually warm and friendly congregation.'  An observation that I can certainly agree with and endorse totally.

Many of the congregation take part each Sunday in the Eucharist Service at 09.30am.  The first Sunday of the month being a Family Eucharist, which is not quite as long and has a lighter feel to it.  It is aimed particularly at families – but everyone is welcome.

To anyone visiting Broadwaters, or even to those who live there already, I can assure you that you would receive of a very warm welcome from the people of St Oswald's, and myself of course, if you would like to come and join us any Sunday morning.

Look forward to seeing you.

Rose Lawley  (tel: 01562 748274  e-mail: rosemarylawley@tiscali.co.uk )

Vicar of St Oswald's Church

 

A Welcome message from our Team Rector

Canon Owain Bell

 

Welcome!  My name is Owain Bell and I write on behalf of St Oswald's Church, which constitutes the Church of England element of this partnership and joint website.

St Oswald's is one of the five, very different, churches which make up the Kidderminster Parish Church Team.  We're a very diverse cluster of churches, which, in addition to St Oswald's, includes St Mary's (Kidderminster Parish Church), St Barnabas' (Franche), Holy Trinity (Trimpley) and St Peter's (Upper Arley).

Hidden in trees beside the Broadwaters stream, it's easy to pass by St Oswald's without noticing it.  The present building was once the church hall, which stood alongside the church built in the 1960's.  Alas the church was built - not on sand - but over a lake!  Tragically, because it was generally regarded to be a lovely building, it had to be demolished less than 20 years later.

St Oswald's Church cannot claim any architectural distinction, but it shelters an unusually warm and friendly congregation.  Worship is carefully prepared, with lay people sharing in virtually aspect of leadership.  It's a struggle to make ends meet, but St Oswald's has pioneered responsible giving throughout the Team Parish.

In February 2007 we welcomed Reverend Rose Lawley as a Vicar in our Team and she has pastoral responsibility for St Oswald's.  Rose came to us from Kinver and brings energy and joy to the role.  With our Methodist friends and partners, we look forward especially to strengthening the contribution we can make to St Oswald's school and the wider community.

                                                   Owain Bell

                                                            Team Rector