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Writing this, having not long moved into the Vicarage, as
your 'Vicar-to- be', I didn't want the opportunity of the May Parish
Magazine to pass by without penning a few lines to thank publicly the
Churchwardens, PCC and all those who have worked hard preparing the
vicarage ready for my arrival. I am very grateful and appreciate the
extent of the decorating work and new study carpet following the
completed ingoing works by the diocese. Likewise, to find both the front
and main garden also in such good shape bearing the unfurling blooms of
spring has been such a bonus. In due course as I get to know who's who,
I shall of course thank those involved personally but for now please
accept this general thank -you. What better time than to move home in
April! - it all makes for a fresh start and I am very much looking
forward to the Collation and Induction on 22nd and the beginning of our
work together.
Not only do I appreciate how the vicarage and garden have been handed on
to me but also clearly a worshipping, organised, motivated and active
congregation, competently led during the interregnum, following the Revd
Tom Leary's ministry here. It is not every new Vicar, believe me, who
inherits such a positive situation and so I pay tribute to the present
and former Churchwardens, Readers, SPA , Director of Music, Office
Administrator with other key leaders and visiting clergy who have
obviously all worked hard and in concert to keep the heart of the parish
beating so healthily.
I am a firm believer in spiritual health and well being going hand in
hand with all that contributes to a life worth living and from this very
early, if not premature juncture, I can begin to see how the Vicarage
and garden might be combined as being both my personal home and place of
work as well as a location for bringing people from the parish together
in wider hospitality. The Feast of the Ascension launches us into the
month of May, an opportunity to praise God for the whole life of Jesus
Christ, King of Kings, now exalted back home in heaven to where he was
before, there to pray for us and show us that we may in heart and mind
thither ascend and with him continually dwell. Building on the feast of
Christmas which shows how God took on our human flesh, the feast of the
Ascension of Our Lord celebrates the ultimate glorious destiny of our
human nature. Our humanity he has taken to the highest place, inviting
us to follow, drawing all things and people to himself so that as he
came down to share our humanity, so we might be lifted up to share the
life of his divinity.
That is the privilege of our calling, it is the Lord's doing and is
marvellous in our eyes.
John Hayward |
