JOURNEYS

Dear Friends,

The school summer term came to an end yesterday, and by the time you read this you may well be away on holiday with family or friends, or a ‘stay-cation’ based at home. The past couple of weeks have been poignant for me as I have taken my last ‘assemblies’ (properly known these days as ‘collective worship’) and said my farewells; the five Church Schools and four county/academy schools/colleges in our Isle of Ely Villages Team area have been a notable commitment for the work of ministry here alongside parish ministry in the eleven villages. I have also been Rural Dean of Ely since January 2023, working collaboratively across all 16 parishes with colleagues and bringing together new plans that set the direction of travel and priorities for the next quinquennium.

For me, it is also a time of leaving as my 2-year interim post here draws to a close on August 31st The new team is in place and this month sees the advertisement in the Church Times for a Team Rector to come and pick up the reins, then also appointing a Team Vicar. Whilst my post began on 1st September 2022, I was welcomed into the deanery and was privileged to also preach at choral evensong in the cathedral on 5th November that year; this September 1st the cathedral is kindly book-ending my time here at the same 4pm service by way of a farewell from the deanery, to which you are of course warmly welcome.

Beyond the immediacy of all this, I am taking a small group to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne off the Northumbrian coast in late September, which was where St Aidan founded the original monastery in 633AD, having travelled from the Isle of Iona, St Columba’s monastery in the Inner Hebrides. I have led pilgrimages to both over recent years, and so, taken from the Iona Worship Book, I close with some prayers from their Leaving Liturgy…..

As Aidan laid down his books and the security of the monastery; so we lay down what is past and look to the future. As Brigid of Kildare, with a cross of rushes, comforted a stranger; so we take into daily life signs of hope and healing. As Patrick travelled ever on, as Margaret of Scotland built community; so we reach beyond ourselves, to share the lives of others and touch a wider world.

For the roots of all our communities; we thank you living God. For what we have shared together and for the life we share with others; we thank you living God. For the path that lies before us now, and our futures in your hands; we thank you living God.

And so, by way of Blessing

May God who is present in sunrise and nightfall, and in the crossing of the sea, guide your feet as you go.

May God, who is with you when you sit and when you stand, encompass you with love and lead you by the hand.

May God who knows your path and the places where you rest, be with you in your waiting, be your good news for sharing, and lead you in the way that is everlasting.

AMEN