Changes in responsibilities

Church news : Graeme will be going to Ascension Island for a 4 week visit - from mid June to mid July. This is another tiny island under UK rule. It does not have any established church on it. There are a few Christians that meet each week, but no trained minister. Nick Clevely visited them for a month about 2 years ago, and this will be a follow up visit. While Graeme is away, Arthur will take over his preaching and teaching responsibilities. Luckily, it will be during Arthur's break between writing his 'O' levels, and enrolling at the London School of Theology. He will have to preach 3 x on a Sunday, and hold 4 Bible studies and 2 children/ teen groups each week. I will only have 2 Bible studies, a ladies group and Sunday School during this time. A challenge that we will face during this time, is that all 3 of our musicians will be away from the island at the same time. Graeme plays the trumpet, Vincent March plays the mandolin (he will be accompanying Graeme to Ascension) and Steve Terry plays the violin and organ (he and Maureen will be going on their annual trip to the UK). None of our church members have noticably good singing voices, so we will be making some interesting sounds during this time. It has also been agreed that Arthur will take over the leadership of all the children/ teen work. The children respond more naturally to him, than to this grey haired old lady. (I will then take back the teaching of the Cape Villa Bible study group) Seeing that Arthur now intends completing his studies through long distance learning, he will most probably be staying on St Helena for the next 3 to 4 years. During this time he will focus on developing a Christian work amongst the children and young people, as well as general evangelism.