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Reverend Jamie Allen & Family

Page updated - 24 November 2009

 

 

REVEREND JAMIE ALLEN & FAMILY

It was in November 2005 that Jamie & Suzie Allen and their three daughters (now four), Danni, Carrie, Katie & Roxy arrived in Great Cornard and what a great change they have made to our lives.

 

In the relatively short time he has been in Great Cornard, amongst other things, Jamie has:

  • Called on every house in the community;

  • Made himself available to anyone in need whether Christian or not;

  • Welcomed many new people into the congregation;

  • Encouraged children by forming a fun choir with special ‘Voice’ sweaters. The choir has frequently performed at Sudbury and Great Cornard gatherings, including the Quay Theatre, Live on Market Hill, Sudbury Christmas Tree carols etc.

  • Appointed a Music Pastor who organises both Voice and Adult choirs, instrumental musicians and musical training groups; inspired the formation of the local churches' Marriage Focus Group which encourages couples to marry in church;

  • Organised many big fundraising events, including fiddling on the roof (although he hates heights) to inaugurate the beginning of the nave roof appeal - please notice the lovely renewed roof now completed. (While he slept on the roof overnight his family camped out inside the church to give him moral support.);

  • Started the Annual Duck Race on Sudbury Water Meadows which has raised considerable funds and is a great fun event;

  • organised the purchase and refurbishment of the Bannister Room which is used for Sunday School groups, Church group meetings and some other community groups;

  • reorganised the church building to be more user friendly;

  • organised the development of the south side chapel for daily services and quiet prayer. This has incorporated a beautiful new modern small altar;

  • encouraged the formation of groups to organise both fundraising and social events where members of the congregation and others can enjoy each other's company;

  • made St. Andrew's not only solvent but able to finance big projects of maintenance and improvement and also to give to others less fortunate;

  • brought his lovely family freely into the life of Great Cornard - even providing the first vicarage baby for many years! ;

  • formed a Ministry Team who work closely together including our Curate John, our Voluntary Priest, Readers and Pastors;

  • re-opened the fortnightly Luncheon Club at the Stevenson Centre;

  • Opened ‘Scallywags’ – a Mother & Toddler group;

  • started a Youth Club for the young people of Cornard on Sunday evenings during term time;

  • developed a Summer Holiday club - the last two years, preparing for and performing "Musicals";

  • organised regular postcard drops to every house in Great Cornard to inform people about what is going on at St. Andrew's;

 Jamie is a caring, generous and loving man, who is admirably supported by his wife, has spread his message of care throughout the Parish and Community. A dedicated and hard worker, he has inspired others to work with him. He has done so much in such a short time. We, and his family have definitely been blessed with a man of God.

 

We are now left with the challenge of carrying on and developing the good work he has started He and his family will be greatly missed, but we look forward to hearing how he makes his mark in New Zealand. They will be blessed indeed!

 

8 November 2009