New vicar of St Mary’s in Ketton and All Saints in Tinwell determined to make a difference despite coronavirus lockdown
A new vicar covering two village churches had to be officially licensed by a bishop over video calling website Zoom.
Olwen Woolcock has also been unable to enter either St Mary’s in Ketton or All Saints in Tinwell since she moved from Leicestershire at the end of March.
Bur despite the lockdown restrictions she is determined to engage with her parishioners and has been using video blogs and Facebook to stay connected.
She said: “Some people have said I’m a virtual vicar now! Things have certainly turned out rather differently from what we expected. It’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced but I’m ready for a challenge.”
Olwen, 62, who lives in the Ketton vicarage with husband Ray, 65, and rescue dog Mizzie, said licensing services were usually grand welcome ceremonies involving parishioners, dignitaries and senior clergy.
But on March 28 she found herself joining a video call with the Bishop of Brixworth, The Right Reverend John Holbrook, and The Venerable Richard Ormston, Archdeacon of Northampton.
Ketton church warden Peter Bisseker and his wife Pat also witnessed Olwen sign the necessary forms before prayers and readings were given.
“I think we were all new to it and the bishop did his best,” she said. “The sad thing was it was a disappointment to everyone who had been looking forward to it, including ourselves.
“Like everything though we must just carry on and do the best we can.”
Olwen, whose daughter Louise Rose runs Stamford Foodbank, said she had been collecting email addresses from parishioners so everyone can keep in touch.
She has also recorded several videos which have been uploaded to her blog for people to watch. A Facebook page has been set up to keep people connected with the churches.
“I’ve not tried live-streaming yet but this is something I’ll look into,” added Olwen. “It’s all completely different from how you’d normally do this of course. Usually you’d start with a bang with a big service that everyone can attend then you immediately know the faces. You also do a lot of visits which obviously you can’t do now.
“I’ve met a few people while walking the dog and some have recognised me from the blog but that’s it really.”
Olwen said her goal remained to build links within the community and support those who need it, from families and children to elderly people.
“Ketton and Tinwell are remarkable communities for looking after their own,” she said. “They do a really good job of looking out for one another and for the elderly in particular.”
She said she had been heartened to see the church parish council had donated £5,500 of its charity money, including its ‘rainy day fund’, to local causes during the coronavirus pandemic.
“If there was ever a rainy day, this is it,” said Olwen.
The main charities to receive money are the Evergreen Trust, Thorpe Hall Hospice and the Coronavirus Emergency Fund. Further donations will also be made to Refuge and Mind and cash raised from the Lent lunches will go to the Air Ambulance and Christian Aid charities.
To get in touch email vicar@kettonandtinwell.uk or check out the ‘St Mary’s Ketton’ Facebook page. Read Olwen’s blog at https://kettonandtinwell.uk
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