Transformation Thurrock : TT interviews the new Mayor of Thurrock's Chaplain, Revd. Andy Higgs

TT interviews the new Mayor of Thurrock's Chaplain, Revd. Andy Higgs

Read the interview here!

1. How did you get to become the Mayor's Chaplain?
I was approched by the Mayor's PA. Apparently there is a tradition of the new mayor elect inviting a minister who is local to their constituency. Cllr Maureen Pearce is one of the councillors for the Stifford Clays Ward in which St Cedd's is placed.

2. What was your first official duty?
My first duty was to say some prayers at the 'Mayor Making' - other councils also have these ceremonies. This is a council meeting at which the council members elect a new mayor (often the Deputy Mayor from the previous year) from those proposed. Once the new mayor was 'installed', I said a prayer for the outgoing mayor, the incoming mayor, all councillors, especially the leader of the council, MEP and MP's, plus civil servants and others who serve the community as well the residents who also have their own responsibility in the community.

3. What does the job of Chaplain to the Mayor consist of?
I'm not sure if there is a written list of what the chaplain does and for all I know this may have changed over the years! When I was approached, I was told what the expectation was from the council's point of view, which was to lead prayers on 2 occasions and preach once.

4. How can you see the role developing?
The most important thing is to discern what God's will is in this role. I would be a little disappointed if there was no development in terms of acting as a link between the council (in the person of the Mayor) and the local church (in the person of the Chaplain) as well as being able to prayerfully support the mayor personally. This will require more committment in terms of informal meetings.

5. The new Mayor has a tough job overseeing a hung council chamber. How can we support her and prayer for her?
The Mayor chairs the council meetings which can be a daunting duty, particularly at first, even if they are supported by council officers. With the hung council the 'balance' of power lies with the 2 independant & 1 BNP members and this year may see some interesting voting.
The Mayor also has a lot of 'meeting & greeting' to do as the figurehead of the council. This can be tiring and days can be long. 'Home life' is sometimes disrupted.
I have already met informally with the mayor and see such meetings as a means to grow a 'relationship of trust'. Initially the church needs to take responsibility to pray for the Mayor personally, and the work of the council in general.

6. There is a Christian Union at Thurock Council Offices. What will your relationship be with its members?
I don't have an official role here, but I would hope to have the opportunity to meet with them and find out how the person in the role of chaplain could support them.
I have also had a warm welcome from the council staff I have spent a little time with, like the mayor's PA and those who organise the events which I attend. This is giving me a glimpse of life in the Council Offices.

7. What events will you be expected to attend throughout the coming year?
My next official appointment is at a new responsibility on Monday 22nd June, which is to lead prayer at the 'Raising of the flag' (which is a prelude to the first 'Armed Forces Day' on Saturday 27th June). There will be representatives of the community, armed forces, councillors and Andrew Mackinlay will actually raise the special flag, which is a Union Flag with the date of Armed Forces Day covering the bottom part.
Two other occasions at which the chaplain takes part are...
...Friday 6th November, leading prayer at the Civic Awards Ceremony.
...Preaching at the annual St Georges Day Service, (probably on Sunday 25th April), usually in St Peter & St Paul's, with a packed congregation, followed by refershments in the British Legion Mess. This will probably be the last official engagement in my year of office.

8. How will this benefit the people of Thurrock, and the church?
I'm not sure at this stage, because up to now I understand that the chaplain has just had a 'walk on' role with no expectation of further interaction. Those who have held this post in the past have all been very busy people, but now could be God's time for a little bit of relationship building. Who knows where God wants this to go?

9. How would you like the Christians of Thurrock to support and pray for you as you embark upon this challenge?
Well, I'm a busy man and knowing how to apportion my time is something I'm not good at. But I would like to use my time to gently raise an awareness of God amongst both the council members and our civil servants. Because I'm not employed to be a chaplain to the council, (like a Hospital Chaplain), I will need to discern with whom I should spend the time I can give.

Rev'd. Andy Higgs, is Rector of the Parish of Stifford (CofE). Since autumn 2002, he has responsibility for the fellowships of St. Mary's, North Stifford & St. Cedd's, Stifford Clays. He is married to Sue, with 3 adult sons, and enjoys narrow boating as his main hobby.

Tim Harrold, 20/07/2009