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Abbey Lane Welcomes New Minister

Revd Caroline VoddenNEW MINISTER JOINS TEAM AT ABBEY LANE

Members of the United Reformed Church, the Methodist Church and partners from the Church of England and other local churches gathered at Water Lane United Reformed Church, Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday 5th September for the induction of Revd Caroline Vodden into the West Essex and Bishop’s Stortford Pastorate.
Caroline joins Revd Roy Fowler to complete the United Reformed Church team ministry covering Abbey Lane and Newport United Reformed Church, Saffron Walden; Stansted Free Church; Bishop’s Stortford United Reformed Church and Clavering Local Ecumenical Partnership. Caroline and her husband Paul have moved to Saffron Walden from Broadstone in Dorset.
A spokesman for Abbey Lane United Reformed Church said “We are delighted that Caroline has joined the ministerial team and look forward to her ministry in the town and across the pastorate.”
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New Minister

We are delighted that Rev Roy Fowler has accepted a call to serve as the full time United Reformed Church minister across the West Essex & Bishop’s Stortford (WEBS) pastorate. WEBS covers Abbey Lane & Newport URC, Stansted Free Church, Clavering Local Ecumenical Partnership and Water Lane URC in Bishop’s Stortford.

Roy’s induction service will be held on Saturday 18th October at 2pm, in Abbey Lane Church

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Supporting England

Rugby was my team game and I preferred playing to spectating. Now I am an armchair enthusiast, except when I’m allowed to Twickenham, especially when it comes to the Six Nations competition. How refreshing to feel excited about the home team’s prospects and also to be proud of the team spirit. What pressure Stuart Lancaster is under to take advice, be politically astute towards the clubs and to compromise on the bigger picture for short-term gain. He is patient, professional and transparent and well aware of the even bigger picture of being proud about your players as people as well as performers. Exactly why there are sporting metaphors for religious life in the New Testament! Well done Stuart and, it must be said, Roy.