The rumours of my departure from the benefice are not exaggerated. After four years of ministry in Evenlode Vale I have come to the end of my curacy. This means that I am moving on to the next stage of my ministry whose exact nature is still unclear. It certainly won’t be the army as I had previously envisaged.
And this is a good juncture at which to express my gratitude for the friendship and support that my family and I have received during our time here. This is from people who indefatigably supported my application for the army. Or the anonymous benefactor that paid for our garden to be spruced up. Or the vegetables and pot roasts that we received from generous neighbours. Or tickets to the Gifford Circus for the whole family. Or those that have let our children swim in their pools. And many who paid our children for odd jobs. Truly, there have been innumerable other acts of kindness from friends and neighbours. And then there are friendships that we have made- some at the school gate, some at the pubs, many on the street and most through the churches in the benefice. We are most thankful for these.
And in my development as a minister I am especially grateful to the churchwardens, but also the wisdom of more mature ministers, specifically Peter and Brione; Tony and Hazel and Stephen and Alison. Ministry in a seven parish benefice has been challenging but rewarding and it’s been a great pleasure to serve the parishes because we have received more than we have given. Indeed, we leave with six children, having arrived with five.
But God willing, this is not goodbye, but see you later.
With His blessings.
Helkias, Juliette, Luke, Zephan, Josiah, Silas, Moses and Dora