Parish of Leatherhead - Carol Coslett keeps in touch

Canon Coslett is currently Rector of the United Benefice of Betchworth and Buckland in the Diocese of Southwark, an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral, as well as serving as an Acting Archdeacon, Assistant Area Dean of Reigate Deanery, and Diocesan Faith in the Countryside Rural Officer. In these roles she has gained a great deal of experience which will assist her in her new position.

THE DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK
The Parishes of St Mary the Virgin, Buckland And St Michael, Betchworth
Order of Service For
THE RITE OF INSTITUTION & INDUCTION
By The Right Reverend. Dr Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark
And Venerable Archdeacon of Reigate, Danny Kajumba
Of Reverend Carol Ann Coslett As Rector of these Parishes
On Tuesday 2nd October 2007 at 7.30 pm.

A number of members of the Anglican congregation in Leatherhead attended the service. Carol is shown with the Bishop of Southwark: photo Jane Haslam

Welcomed to Betchworth and Buckland In October, the Revd Carol Coslett became the Rector of the united benefice of St Michael's Betchworth and St Mary's Buckland, an occasion of solemnity, history and joy.

St Michael's Church was almost full for the service, in which the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Dr Tom Butler, instituted Carol "into the cure of souls of this living", and the Archdeacon of Reigate, the Venerable Danny Kajumba, inducted her "into the real, actual and corporal possession of these churches and benefice".

It is a wonderful service, a mixture of the solemn, the symbolic, and the homely. In his sermon, Bishop Tom introduced our new Rector and told us something of her journey to this place. He exhorted us to work with her, and to embrace the changes that a new incumbent will bring to our parishes. Then came the solemnity. Representatives of the Patrons of the two livings made the Presentation - in unison.

Before Bishop Tom, Carol reaffirmed her ordination vows, followed by the Commission of the People of God, when the congregation expressed anew their commitment to worship and serve God in this place. Next, the symbolism: at her induction, Carol's hand was placed on the handle of the church door, and she tolled a bell, to tell the world outside the church building that she had taken possession.

Then Carol and her family were warmly welcomed by the churchwardens of the two parishes, by the Chairman of Mole Valley District Council, by the two Parish Councils, and other parish organisations. And then the homely bit: her first action as Rector was to give out the notices.

After the service, there was a social gathering, and a chance to meet Carol's many friends from her previous parish and elsewhere. After an interregnum of almost a year, during which time the worship of our churches has been kept alive by the ministry of Pattie and our readers and visiting clergy, and the hard work of the Churchwardens, it was a joyful and momentous day when we welcomed our new Rector to our two parishes. Hilary Ely

from the August 2007 magazine
Carol, who was both a Reader and Music Co-ordinator here before training for ordination, is to be the new incumbent of what will be a new United Benefice of Betchworth and Buckland. Her induction is on Tuesday, October 2, at 7.30pm at St Michael's Betchworth.

from the August 2004 magazine
A Count Down to Priesting by Revd Carol Coslett Thursday, and all the lists are done, car cleaned, surplice/cassock washed and ironed and I'm ready. First stop Guildford Cathedral for rehearsal, then the Bishops Tea party for family and all those to be ordained, both Priests and Deacons. We enjoyed the cake and tea before travelling to Ladywell Convent in Godalming to spend a few days of quiet reflection.

The house and grounds are beautiful, home to Francisican Missionaries who travel around the world working amongst the needy. There is a Shrine to Our Lady, and a spring of water thought to be the origin of the name Lady-well. For me, it was part of my preparation journey towards my priesting. I was given time to think about my call, and to listen to God within.

Canon Julian Henderson led us through the Book of Malachi from which we were reminded of four aspects to priesthood:
- The Great Covenant of Love by God for his people:
- The office of priest is a High Calling in which we become God's messengers:
- We are both servants and shepherds among the people to whom we are sent but subject to God for judgement:
- We are commissioned to give Blessings.

From Friday to Saturday we kept silence before travelling once more to the Cathedral. The service was incredibly moving and it was humbling to think that God had brought me to that point in my life's journey. During the service we all received the 'laying on of hands' by Bishop Ian Brackley, and other sponsoring clergy. For me this became a deep spiritual experience of warmth and strength being passed down. Members from Horsell and supporters all stood up to offer their affirmation, a reminder that we are all working together on God's mission and every person needs the love and encouragment of others to carry on and sustain them through ministry.

Lastly, as I presided at my first communion in St. Mary's on Sunday 4th July, I was reminded of the great privilege I have been given by God to serve amidst the people of God, and that we all have our own parts to play in God's work.

[if you have photos taken after these Saturday and Sunday services, please contact the editor]

Dear Leatherhead Friends It was great to have your support on Saturday in the Cathedral. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement over the years. We all have enjoyed this first year in the parish, even though we moved twice! Revd Rod Jones has been excellent to work with and I get a varied diet of experience.
We are now very settled in the official house, and Martin, David and Clara are able to have fun in the garden, and enjoy the space around them. School life for David and Clara is as usual very hectic, with sports days, ballet exams and violin concerts, not to mention piano lessons with Grandpa Chris Slater. I wish you all God's Blessings and I do love to read all about your news from the magazine so thank you for keeping me in touch. Our address is 6 Waldens Park Road, Norsell, GU21 4RN
With love, Carol Coslett

from Jan 2004 magazine
News from Carol Coslett Our present our address is 10, Grange Park, Woking GU21 4BX (Tel. 01483 764094), but we move in January into the curate's house, 6 Waldens Park Road, Horsell, Woking GU21 4RN. We have settled into parish life. Martin is getting used to commuting round M25 to Amersham where he is a College Curriculum leader in Music Production. David and Clara attend a local C of E Primary school; they both learn the violin and piano being part of the North Surrey Suzuki group, and recently performed in the Royal Festival Hall. They have resumed activities like, dancing, swimming, cubs and football. As we have space in our present house they seem to like organising sleepovers as part of their social diary, as well as attending numerous parties with new friends.

As a family we are enjoying Woking Town, the leisure pool, Horsell Common for cycling and natural sandpit. We are also enjoying being close to London (20 minutes on a fast train). In September I went with another parishioner on the Historic Churches cycle ride, we did 20 miles along Woking Canal, through Byfleet, Wisley, Pyrford and back through Old Woking. Horsell has a population of about 10,000 and I am very busy with baptisms, funerals and a wide variety of services. My incumbent, Rev. Rod Jones, is very supportive and we work well together.

The congregation have been welcoming, helpful and friendly and seem receptive to new ideas and challenges. We have had a couple of Choral evensongs at which I have sung and Martin has been persuaded to help out in the Carol Service. For one service a month a music group plays, which is fun. The sound system works well and we have an extended band with all the children playing percussion!!

I am building on links with the youth and younger Mums through Toddler groups, schools and baptism visits. For the first Sunday in December the junior church groups (JAM, Jesus and Me: and SMUTS, St.Mary's under thirteens) have to take the service so I am co-ordinating and getting them together in a Bethlehem Rock performance, including singing and acting.

Needless to say I am enjoying the work. I wasn't really expecting to be called up for T.V when we did our Media course at Cuddesdon, but it happened. Sky T.V phoned and asked me to appear on a show with Joy Carroll (real Vicar of Dibley), so I got myself to the studios wearing a bright pink clerical shirt! ! It was a bit of fun!

I do hope you are all well; we do enjoy keeping in touch with Leatherhead events and seeing you from time to time, at concerts (SSO) or the last time at Jane Haslam's party. Great to chat to some of you again. Do take care and love and Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Carol Coslett

Rev David Eaton, Rev Carol Coslett and Rev Rod Homes (Vicar of St. Mary the Virgin, Horsell) after Carol's ordination.

Thank You from Carol Coslett - from July 2003 magazine

Carol, Martin, David and Clara would like to thank everyone who supported them at the ordination celebrations on Sunday 29th June, and all who sent cards, letters and best wishes for the occasion.

A big thank you to all the choir who rehearsed hard and combined with Horsell choir to sing a choral evensong. It was great to see so many of you in the congregation and the choir.

The drinks and light supper in Horsell parish room rounded off the day, giving everyone a chance to chat, catch up on news and meet the new curate! I shall remember the day as something really special and inspirational at the start of my ministry.

Best wishes to you all
With love from the Coslett family.

more photos would be appreciated - Editor

via Martin Coslett

from May 2003 magazine
It is great to hear what is going on in Leatherhead and also comforting to know that you keep us in your prayers. We are approaching our last few months here, before moving on to become part of a new community. Our time here has been fun, refreshing, challenging and has offered a lot of development for all the family. I have had time and space to reflect on my vocation and on what God might be calling me to do in my future ministry.

The training scheme that I have followed has been flexible enough for me to study in areas that I have chosen and to seek pastoral experiences that offer different perspectives on life. Part of the remit from Bishops is that Formation takes place during training. This has not just meant further theological study, but also the time to be with God and alongside other people in their own quests.

As I begin to consider what colour and style of clerical shirts or stoles to purchase I am conscious that part of transforrnation is the outward appearance that the ordained minister shows. What this can represent, though, is an inward change and personal adjustment. When you look in the mirror, do you see yourself? Does the outside reflect the inside? After I am ordained I must continue to work at "selfbecoming in Christ" and accept the challenge of grace working within me. In the community I will represent God, a walking, visual sacrament as I serve the Church. It sounds quite scary when expressed in theological terms!! I hope and pray, though, that I will have the conviction to turn my true self not only toward God but also toward the world and the work of mission.

Weekly Sunday worship, until Easter, is in a variety of local churches, one of which, St Mary's, Thame - a lovely church similar in dates to Leatherhead - has been reordered to create a wide space removing pews, pulpit etc, uses an Allen organ and offers a wide variety of dilferent services and children's activities. College lectures this term include: Guest speaker, Ann Morisy talking about Social Capital (Her Book: Beyond the Good Samaritan, well worth a read); The Jasper Lectures on Vocations; Dr Wannenwetsch on Biblical Imagery of Sex, Marriage and the Family. Holy Week is in College. Leavers Service is on June 6, when our stoles get blessed and we can officially leave. Ordination date is June 29 in Guildford Cathedral. More details to follow. Our new Parish is St. Marys, Horsell (Nr. Woking). We don't know when we will move, but it is likely to be after the school academic year. It will be hard to leave. David and Clara will miss their school, sporting activities and friends, but I am sure they will settle again. Martin will continue at Amersham College.
Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praise of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
Love and Best Wishes to you all,
Carol, Martin, David and Clara.

November 2002 A whole year has passed since we left for our new adventure. It has been an exciting year with lots of activities and new experiences for all of us. We have been pleased to receive visitors from Leatherhead who have spent time seeing the College, our little house in Wheatley and touring the shops in Oxford. When the Vicar came he participated in a pet service in the college grounds. Although the choir visitors liked the church, I think they were quite glad they did not sing there regularly because it is so cold.

After celebrations like the May Ball and Friends and Former Members Day, the summer term finished in June. Then straight away I went to a placement at a Benefice of four small village churches about four miles from Wheatley - Worminghall, Shabbington, Ickford and Oakley, all within a few miles of each other on nice flat ground. So in September my son, David, and I joined in the Historic Churches Cycle Ride covering eight churches in 36 miles!!

During my placement I worked alongside the incumbent for five weeks attending funerals, house groups, the PCC, planning groups, church fêtes as well as preaching and taking school assemblies. The ministry that I saw and what might be appropriate for future ministry has been written up in my case study report. As Deacons are called to serve, it has been valuable to explore how ministry can develop to meet the needs of different people.

In the new term I will be spending three days each week working in Berinsfield, a large post-war estate built from an old army barracks. The people there have experienced high unemployment and deprivation. I shall be working in the schools, hospitals, day centres and youth clubs as well as taking an active part in the worship in the church.

I am hoping to complete a Lent course in Art and Music, finish a study project about genetics; and explore issues relating to feminist images of God. Some books I have read lately which may interest you are: Lost lcons, by Rowan Williams; Outside the Box by Richard Harries; Windows into Heaven (icons and spirituality in Russia); and I Write What I Like by Steve Biko.
Let us know if you would like to visit - the College lets rooms if you wanted a quiet retreat with regular daily worship.
Best wishes and love in Christ

Reflections on Cuddesdon, by Carol Coslett. Cuddesdon website http://www.rcc.ac.uk/
November 2001

At every mealtime we say the College mission statement: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, Giving thanks to God the Father through Him." The aim does seem to encompass all life, accepting everyone for their own individuality and calling from God. The daily order is steeped in tradition, precision, offices, corporate meals and sharing socially as a community, which includes not only 75 ordinands but also their 39 partners and 48 children. A typical day might be:
7.30 Chapel, Morning Prayer, (silence in College until 8.30)
8.00 Eucharist (optional) Breakfast
9.00 Lectures/seminars eg Mission and Ministry, Pastoral Psychology, Liturgy.
(On Wednesdays there is a coach into the centre of Oxford for University lectures and an hour or so for a little shopping!!)
1.00 Lunch
2.00 Seminars, rehearsals for worship or free
4.00 Tea and chocolate cake/cookies, football for the Kids!!
5.45 Evensong or Eucharist (Friday) in All Saints, Cuddesdon Parish Church.
6.30 Formal Dinner (in a hall filled with paintings of past principals/students)
10.00 Compline (optional) then Silence in College until morning

I do not make all of the schedule and sign out of most meals except Friday dinner when the whole family attends. There is a Friday Club for the children, which allows me to attend the Eucharist for which I have already played the organ. I am trying to stand back from musical involvement but it inevitably finds me and I have been asked to coordinate a music group for the All Age Worship.
Ordinands - students training for Ministry - meet once a week for "experimental" worship and to discuss issues to be raised at committees.

Our duties include leading all the services, looking after prospective candidates, serving, setting and clearing up after meals. There are Sacristan duties, too, when you are on duty for all the services every day for 4 weeks.

My Sunday Placement is Cowley Parish Church, an urban priority parish and very Anglo-Catholic - "smells and bells"! On Monday evenings I attend The Archway, a social group for those hurt by loneliness. It brings back memories for me being in the area where we used to visit my brother, Mark, when he was at the Cathedral school.

On a final note, I am enjoying having the time for good theological debates, to be with Martin and the children and to think about my calling. Best wishes to you all, a Happy Christmas and Blessings for the New Year. I'll finish with a Cuddesdon prayer.. "For these and all His mercies, God's Holy Name be blessed and praised Amen"!

Carol Coslett and family - September 2001
Last month we said farewell to Carol Coslett as she moved with her family from Leatherhead to Oxford. Here Carol begins her training for ordained ministry at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. Carol has also made a significant contribution to church life in Leatherhead over many years, as Reader and Music Co-ordinator as well as Ordinand-in-training. Carol's personal musical ability and choir leadership have been outstanding.

We thank her and assure her of our prayers and good wishes. We also send good wishes to Martin, Clara and David, mindful of Martin's own contributions to music and social concern within church life. I am glad to have been able to make a presentation to Carol at her final service before sharing a parish Bring and Share Lunch together.

Please continue to keep both Juliette and Carol and family in your prayers as they move forward in God's service.