As a committed
member of the Church of England, we greatly trust and honour historic and ongoing oversight and accountability.
We count it a privilege to be a part of the Diocese of Winchester and
Deanery of Eastleigh and are accountable to our Bishops, Michael Scott-Joynt,
the Bishop of Winchester and Paul Butler,
Suffragan Bishop of Southampton. Bishop Paul
visits and preaches at a
gathering of the whole church at the beginning of each year in the Sports
Hall at Wyvern Technology College. This is a time when we re-commit
ourselves as a local church under his authority and look to see many
confirmed amongst us in public ministry under the authority of the Church of
England.
We believe this apostolic and prophetic
oversight from our Bishops has enabled the local work to proceed and be
protected from spiritual attack. Their pastoral, evangelistic and teaching
ministries are also greatly appreciated.
St. Thomas Church is also affiliated to the New
Wine Network and is a member of The evangelical Alliance.
The Reverend David Snuggs was appointed
Vicar in April 1996 and has carried on the work which had
been laid down by the Rev. Kenneth Bell during the 1980's and early 1990's.
Under David's God-honouring leadership great freedom for ministry
development has been experienced. Growth in St. Thomas' has been four-fold
to date under his leadership.
We are a training church in the Diocese of Winchester and have received two
curates-in-training to date. Our present curate is the Revd. Paul Dever.
David is assisted in his leadership by the Revd. Dawson Price, a retired NSM,
and the readers, Nick Gosling, Nick Price and Danny Stupple and staff,
released from the secular workplace by the generous giving of the local
church. We employ the following:
Lauren Cheshire
- Youth Minister
Jono Harvey -
Associate Minister
Gabby Llewellyn
- Pastoral Ministry Co-ordinator
Jane Nicholls -
Assistant Administrator
Caroline Oswald
- Assistant Pastoral Ministry Co-ordinator
Shirley Smeal -
Elderly Person's Co-ordinator
Anniei
Yeneralski - Administrator
Local Leadership
The Leadership of the Church is constituted
under the remit of the Church of England Parochial Church Council for Fair
Oak & Horton Heath, which is constituted as follows:
Elders
(with PCC Treasurer Standing Committee)
This team meets once per month and seeks the
Lord for "vision, ministry in the word and prayer".
It has no executive power, but is simply a "think tank" for input to the PCC.
The Dieaconate meet at PCC meetings, together
with the Elders. The Deacons are primarily responsible for the business
affairs and running of church life. Together with the Elders, they form the
PCC, which is the only decision-making body for church strategy within St.
Thomas'.
Elections take place each year on a 3 year
cycle, which together with ex-officio members, has given a steady and
spirit-filled oversight to the work of St. Thomas' over the years.
Personal Accountability
We encourage
personal accountability through active involvement in Home Church and
Accountability Partners.
|
As a committed
member of the Church of England, we greatly trust and honour historic and ongoing oversight and accountability.
We count it a privilege to be a part of the Diocese of Winchester and
Deanery of Eastleigh and are accountable to our Bishops, Michael Scott-Joynt,
the Bishop of Winchester and Paul Butler,
Suffragan Bishop of Southampton. Bishop Paul
visits and preaches at a
gathering of the whole church at the beginning of each year in the Sports
Hall at Wyvern Technology College. This is a time when we re-commit
ourselves as a local church under his authority and look to see many
confirmed amongst us in public ministry under the authority of the Church of
England.
We believe this apostolic and prophetic
oversight from our Bishops has enabled the local work to proceed and be
protected from spiritual attack. Their pastoral, evangelistic and teaching
ministries are also greatly appreciated.
St. Thomas Church is also affiliated to the New
Wine Network and is a member of The evangelical Alliance.
The Reverend David Snuggs was appointed
Vicar in April 1996 and has carried on the work which had
been laid down by the Rev. Kenneth Bell during the 1980's and early 1990's.
Under David's God-honouring leadership great freedom for ministry
development has been experienced. Growth in St. Thomas' has been four-fold
to date under his leadership.
We are a training church in the Diocese of Winchester and have received two
curates-in-training to date. Our present curate is the Revd. Paul Dever.
David is assisted in his leadership by the Revd. Dawson Price, a retired NSM,
and the readers, Nick Gosling, Nick Price and Danny Stupple and staff,
released from the secular workplace by the generous giving of the local
church. We employ the following:
Lauren Cheshire
- Youth Minister
Jono Harvey -
Associate Minister
Gabby Llewellyn
- Pastoral Ministry Co-ordinator
Jane Nicholls -
Assistant Administrator
Caroline Oswald
- Assistant Pastoral Ministry Co-ordinator
Shirley Smeal -
Elderly Person's Co-ordinator
Anniei
Yeneralski - Administrator
Local Leadership
The Leadership of the Church is constituted
under the remit of the Church of England Parochial Church Council for Fair
Oak & Horton Heath, which is constituted as follows:
Elders
(with PCC Treasurer Standing Committee)
This team meets once per month and seeks the
Lord for "vision, ministry in the word and prayer".
It has no executive power, but is simply a "think tank" for input to the PCC.
The Dieaconate meet at PCC meetings, together
with the Elders. The Deacons are primarily responsible for the business
affairs and running of church life. Together with the Elders, they form the
PCC, which is the only decision-making body for church strategy within St.
Thomas'.
Elections take place each year on a 3 year
cycle, which together with ex-officio members, has given a steady and
spirit-filled oversight to the work of St. Thomas' over the years.
Personal Accountability
We encourage
personal accountability through active involvement in Home Church and
Accountability Partners.
|
