PARISHIONERS in Tavistock and Gulworthy are being consulted on their view for the future of the local churches prior to the appointment of a new vicar. In Gulworthy every household has received a questionnaire, and in Tavistock there have been eight planning groups looking at different aspects of Church life ? including worship, music, liturgy, children, the community, and world mission. They have tackled the question ?What is a vicar?? and all ideas and reflections will go before both parochial church councils before emerging as a ?mission action plan?. The Rev Joanna Abecassis, who is the full-time acting parish priest, said it was important that any prospective new vicar knew the parishes? view of the way forward, which was why the wheels would not be put in motion to appoint someone until the action plan had been finalised and passed to the archdeacon. ?The bishop and his staff team felt it would be a good idea for the churches to have a breathing space ? a period of reflection. The Church is its people ? its members ? it is not the vicar!? she said. Although still called a curate, she is fully trained and was able to take on the role of acting parish priest. It is anticipated it will be approximately six months before the new appointment, but in the meantime the Rev Abecassis is being assisted by licensed Readers Jenny Eglington and Tony Giddings, along with Tony?s wife Jackie who is a priest who has taken early retirement. A recently retired naval chaplain ? Rev Rodney Baxendale ? is also helping out during the vacancy. l Pictured is the Rev Joanna Abecassis, second from right, with, right to left, John Saxon, churchwarden at Tavistock, Mary Ann Furze, churchwarden at Gulworthy, and Lesley Morris, also churchwarden at Tavistock. The other Gulworthy churchwarden is Ted Deacon. The legal responsibility is vested in the churchwardens during the vacancy.
