Hi, I'm Griff…
Some words from a different kind of Priest! Most people know me as ‘Griff’ from my days serving in the Army and before you ask, no I wasn’t a Padre (Chaplain) I used to fix army vehicles, from tanks through to Land Rovers (REME mechanic)! Though that still isn’t why I am a bit different from most vicars. I joined the Army at 17, having been born and brought up in North Wales, I can say my family weren’t deeply religious, falling into the category of the Hatch, Match & Dispatch when going to church. It wasn’t really until I joined the Army that I began exploring Christianity and being prompted by God to develop my own faith, that my journey as a Christian started. Over the next 24 years of military service I saw some of the best that humanity has and some of the worst, all the time having this nagging belief that there was more! It wasn’t until my mid-thirties that I recognised Jesus as my Saviour and I gave my life to him. This led to the conviction that I, a man who was brought up on a council estate with not much of an academic background, could through God’s guidance go forward to become a vicar in the Church of England.
Since being ordained (2017), collared/vicared, I served as a trainee vicar in a parish just outside Slough, St George’s, and had the opportunity to cover the nearby parish of St Peter’s in Burnham. Which has given me plenty of opportunities to appreciate the full riches and spectrum of worship, which I believe that the Church of England offers. From Evangelic to Traditional, but always having an ear to the ground, an eye for the community and a heart to follow Jesus.
Our Mission:
The Church of England, which St Benedict’s is proud to be part, has continually upheld what is known as the 5 Marks of Mission, Google it, it’s well worth a read! I believe and the reason I felt called to be the vicar of St B’s church is because the worshipping community draws upon all these aspects. Just look at our long term action statement ‘Our mission is to encourage the people of the parish to worship God, in a loving, caring environment and help them to find faith and fulfilment in Jesus.’ This I believe St Benedict’s is not only striving to do but also through the work of the Holy Spirit making amazing ground in the parish.
John 6:35
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”