God is good all the time – All the time, God is good

HAVE UNLIMITED TRUST IN THE ALMIGHTY GOD

Dear All,

This is my goodbye letter with thanks to the members and leadership of the United Benefice of St Stephen with St James, Blackburn. The beautiful words from one of my favourite hymns, continue to affirm that ‘We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travellers on the road.’ I thank God for my journey with you for the last five years. I am moving on to my new assignment with a sense of fulfilment at the parish level as well at Diocesan level.

I will continue to keep you in my daily prayers at Leicester Cathedral, where I will work as a Canon Missioner. I will be licensed as a Canon Missioner on 22nd September at 3.30 pm. My last Sunday with you as your Vicar will be Sunday, the 1st of September. My work with you and in the Diocese has helped to equip me for this new assignment. Thank you for your love, support, encouragement and understanding. Please continue to keep me in your prayers.

I am aware that you will soon be undergoing an interregnum, which could be quite challenging. However, interregnum may also help you to build a future vision for the Benefice. We may have many questions, plans or points of view and sometimes, it may cause anxiety to continue your Presence and Engagement in Blackburn. I will reassure you all to look at this beautiful text from Proverbs 3:5-6 encouraging every believer to,

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’

As a Benefice, Psalm 23 is our go-to psalm for this year. It reminds us of God’s goodness, mercy, protection, and guidance in every situation we face as the Body of Christ. It is so important for us to acknowledge God’s plans, which are not human plans, and God’s wisdom, which is beyond human wisdom and understanding; we need to have unlimited trust in the Almighty God.

It is my prayer that, may,

Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:

teach us to hear your voice

and to follow your command,

that all your people may be gathered into one flock,

to the glory of God the Father. Amen

Once again, thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. I am forever grateful.

Your loving Vicar

Sarah Gill