The Rector's retirement
A party was held in Shenfield Parish Hall on Friday 25th July to mark the retirement of Canon Paul Brett after 14 years as Rector of St. Mary's Church and 43 years of ordained ministry. It was attended by about 160 people. A finger buffet and drinks were provided. In addition, a cake in the shape of the church was decorated and provided by Martin and Molly Hoyle.
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 Edna |
During the evening Paul was given a card prepared individually for him by the Churchwardens. It consisted of a montage of photos of the church, the ministry team, the churchwardens and various events involving the Rector. It was signed by a large number of parishioners who expressed their thanks and gratitude for the Rector's ministry, help and guidance over the years.
Paul was presented with a number of gifts from a collection made amongst parishioners. Chris Clemow presented the engraved tankard and Jill Willmott a Steamer chair for Paul to relax in during his retirement. Chris and Jill were both Churchwardens when he was appointed. The Patron of St Mary's, Charles Courage, then talked about Paul's achievements during his ministry with the church. Finally Churchwarden, Edna Grimble, talked about Paul's ministry during his 14 years at St. Mary's and the contributions he had made during those years before presenting him with a cheque for the balance of his retirement collection. Judy Brett, Paul's wife for 25 years, was then presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Paul thanked everybody for his very generous gifts and for the help that he had had during his period with us. He said that both Judy and he would miss everybody and hoped that we would all visit them in their new Suffolk home, but not all at once!
 The card amuses Paul & Judy |
 The farewell card |
 Practicing for retirement |
 Chris |
Entertainment then followed with some East End songs by Frank Halford and then by the choir with a version of Pirates of Penzance with re-written lyrics about the Rector.
 This is nice with "Adnams" |
 What will I do without a Rector? |
 We've been together now for 53 years |
 Adapted Gilbert & Sullivan (?) by the choir |
On Sunday, July 27th, the church Patron, Charles Courage and his wife Sarah, welcomed over 100 parishioners and many children to their farm at Mountnessing for the Patronal festival and to say goodbye to Paul and Judy. The children enjoyed the Bouncy castle and swimming pool, while a number of the adults and 1 child enjoyed a ramble round the farm. They saw some deer and then walked the plank across a deep ditch before returning for refreshments. Those present then gathered together for a few short speeches and Paul was presented with a spoof front page of The SUN. Cakes and champagne were served and then they gathered together for photos for the local paper.
 Graham says goodbye to Hymn |
 The Sun Page |
 Everybody toasts Paul & Judy |
 Centre of the group photo |
Testing Open Branch Cakes |
 Mary, Sarah, Judy & Maureen |
 Clearing up the bouncy castle |
 Canon Paul Brett |
Confirmation Service at St Mary's on March 30th
Seventeen candidates from the recent confirmation classes were confirmed by The Bishop of Bradwell, The Right Rev'd Laurie Green, in the presence of their families and friends and supporters from St Mary's congregation.
The Candidates |
Bishop Laurie |
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The Rector's Sponsored Eco-Walk
Canon Paul Brett's sponsored walk took place along the route of the London Underground District Line in July 2007 and raised £6,600 for St Mary's Charities' Fund. Copies of the Diary of the walk have proved popular and are now fully sold out. There are no plans to print further copies at this stage. However, you can read an extract from the diaries here by clicking on the icon.
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