Philippians 1: 3-5

3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

September is a time of endings as well as new beginnings. Our schools return after the long summer holidays, with some starting a new school in a new place, while others return to what is more familiar. For our farmers the summer fruits have been picked and sold and now the crops are starting to be collected in, and harvest is on its way.

For me September brings a house and job move as I transfer my ministry from the Staffordshire Border Group of Churches to Greyfriars, Kirkcudbright and St Mary’s Gatehouse of Fleet on the south-west coast of Scotland. My time here has been fulfilling and rewarding as I’ve journeyed with you through the high and low points of life, as well as all that comes in between. And while it has been a relatively short period of time, I feel that much has been shared in that time. Each encounter and memory is precious, each time of ministry a privilege and each answered prayer a source of joy and encouragement.

We have a God who travels with us, through the beginnings and the endings, the goodbyes to a season just ending and the welcomes into a new season. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians was one of confidence in God’s promises to fulfil his plans in and through each one of us. And that is my prayer for you, for each of the churches in this Benefice, for our lovely church schools in Gnosall and Woodseaves, and for each one of your lives.

It has been a privilege to live and minister among you, may God continue to bless your journeys, hear your prayers and fulfil your hopes and dreams.

Philippians 1: 9-11

9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.