Paul Shackerley

I have finally listened to Lucy Winkett’s sermon from @StJPiccadilly this Sunday. I am so glad I did. Thanks be to God for Lucy and all those who are able to see the joy of a belonging that reaches out to embrace and not restrict. m.youtube.com/watch?v=BTbhRO…

“MORE clergy may need help with retirement housing than previously forecast, the Pensions Board has concluded, after a new survey found that 69 per cent of respondents believed it unlikely that they would own a property on retirement.” Many disturbing figures. In this report: 1) that 50% of clergy find stipends not sufficient or just about sufficient to live on is difficult in itself 2) but add to that that this means that saving enough for a deposit to buy a house if you have been in ministry for almost your entire life & your partner is on not much more either is not very likely & 3) that the Pensions board feel the provision of increasing housing to meet demand is financially unsustainable & want to promote the buying of houses & home ownership by clergy in order to offset costs…… This all puts us in the Church of England in quite a morally problematic situation. This all relates to other issues that we as a church wish to address & in fact undermine those commitments: 1) increasing vocations from the young 2) increasing vocations from those in ‘working class’ communities, 3) this also relates to a much larger extent than predominantly white community to the issue of increasing vocation among GMH people churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/…

@ChrisTheVic I think this would be very good. Shall we chat

Presenting our deacons 2024! They gathered at @StPaulsLondon to make their Declarations and Oaths - with the @bishopSarahM @bishopoffulham and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet - before heading off on retreat. Please keep them in your prayers: bit.ly/45KnGPs