Interregnum - Our Roadmap To A New Incumbent

The interregnum following Revd Ian Finn's departure until the Institution and Induction of Revd Stephen Abbott was from 27th May 2007 until 1st September 2008.

Announcement by the Bishop about the appointment of the next rector of the Bansfield Benefice - Transcript.

The Bansfield Benefice which consists of the churches of Cowlinge, Denston, Lidgate, Ousden, Stansfield, Stradishall and Wickhambrook is now in Interregnum. Unofficially this started with Ian's last service in the Bansfield Benefice on the 27th May 2007. This farewell service at All Saints' church Wickhambrook was a tremendous success. Over 140 people were in attendance. By way of a thank you for this work in the benefice we presented Ian with a cheque which he will use for new robes and a new laptop computer to help with his ministry in Haverhill. Officially the interregnum started on Friday 29th June 2007 with the service of Institution in St Mary's church Haverhill. At this service Revd Ian Finn was made Rector of the Benefice of Haverhill and Withersfield. We all wish Ian every success in this new and demanding post. He will be rector of the largest parish in the diocese which currently stands at 30,000 and projected to rise to as much as 40,000. He will continue as Rural Dean and so will still have line management for the Bansfield Benefice until a new Rector is appointed here.

But what does the interregnum mean for us here in the Bansfield? Well life will go on as before. We will continue to have regular services in the benefice. On the first Sunday of the month there will be a parish Eucharist by extension taken by our Reader Philip Draycott in Wickhambrook church. The JAM club (Sunday school) will be meeting in the Benefice Hall as usual at the same time. The main running of the JAM club will be by Sarah Bevan and Jackie Chester with assistance from the usual helpers. On the second and fourth Sundays the Benefice services will occur as normal. The third Sunday will continue to be the Family service with Paul Bevan. However the services of Holy Communion on the second and fourth Sundays will be taken by retired priests from the diocese. We are especially grateful to Revd Bob Torrens who has very kindly agreed to take the majority of the Benefice services during the Interregnum. The Churches Together will continue to meet as usual and the Monday Evening Study Group will now be led by Father Anthony Foreman. The Autumn term start date for the Monday Evening Study Group will be Monday 17th September. The one thing we will lose are the midweek services in the benefice.

During interregnum all the services have already been planned and full service rotas are available up to the end of August 2008. See the Service Rota for details.

For anyone wanting to contact us with regard to a religious matter or Baptisms, Weddings and Funeral please see our contact page for details.

We will all be working hard during interregnum to make it as short as possible but the whole process will probably take between six to nine months. We had the Section 12 meeting with Bishop Clive, the Archdeacon of Sudbury and members of the PCCs of all the benefice churches on 24th July to officially start the process.

Milestones

1. 25th February 2007 - Revd Ian Finn announces that he is to be made the Rector of the Benefice of Haverhill & Withersfield.
2. 18th April 2007 - Pre section 11 meeting with the Archdeacon of Sudbury, Revd Ian Finn and Benefice Committee.
3. 8th May 2007 - Section 11 meeting, to discuss the content for the Benefice Profile - the Benefice Committee.
4. 27th May 2007 - Interregnum starts unofficially with Ian's last service in the Benefice and move to Haverhill.
5. 29th June 2007 - Interregnum starts officially with Ian's Institution in St Mary's church Haverhill.
6. 24th July 2007 - Section 12 meeting with Bishop Clive, Archdeacon David and PCC members of the Bansfield Benefice.
7. 1st August 2007 - Final version of the Benefice Profile sent to the Archdeacon.
8. 6th August 2007 - Vacancy advertisement placed on the Diocese's website which includes the Benefice Profile.
9. 19th September 2007 - Closing date for applications for the post.
10. 1st November 2007 - Selection Committee meet to discuss interviews.
11. 9th November 2007 - Candidate interview day. No candidate was selected. The post to be re-advertised in the Church Times.
12. 7th December 2007 - Advertisement for new Incumbent published in the Church Times. Advertisement closing date 11th January 2008
13. 27th February 2008 - Candidate interview day (2). Two Candidates are to be interviewed.
14. 16th March 2008 - Revd Stephen Abbott appointed next rector of the Bansfield Benefice [More].
15. 2nd September 2008 - Institution and Induction of Revd Stephen Abbott.