My dear friends in Brayton, Thorpe Willoughby, Barlow, Burn, South-West Selby and beyond

I do hope and pray this finds you well.

I am contacting you with a very heavy heart indeed. During my extended time of sick leave it became evident, and I have very reluctantly had to accept, that my health condition will no longer allow me to continue in full time parish ministry. Over the last few months I have, therefore, been applying for hospital chaplaincy posts. I recently successfully interviewed for and have accepted a post as Health Care Chaplain at the Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust. The largest of its 3 hospitals is Pinderfields at Wakefield where I'll mainly be based, but I will also work out of the Trust's 2 other smaller hospitals at Dewsbury and Pontefract. Whilst, of course, there will be significant challenges to manage in hospital chaplaincy, nevertheless, my hope is that in it I will find not only another fulfilling ministry, but a more “boundaried”, and therefore more sustainable, ministry. In this way my prayer is that I am enabled to continue fulfilling the vocation to ordained ministry God has called me to. I love parish ministry, and love you all, so this brings me enormous sadness.

It goes without saying that this is very hard for me and for us as a family. In the almost 14 years since we moved here, our girls have grown up among you and we have all made our home in this community. We are so grateful to you all for these years and will miss you enormously. We know, too, that there will be a lot of sadness, though perhaps not complete surprise, as you receive this news, for which I am very sorry indeed. Charlotte will continue to teach at Brayton CofE Primary School.

My last Sunday service in the parish will be a Joint Parish Communion Service on the 10th December [in St Wilfrid's Church, Brayton]. I am all too aware that this is very short notice indeed, and I am sincerely sorry about this, however this is due to the timings and other constraints largely relating to my new appointment. It would be so very lovely if you felt able to join me for that. It will be at 10.30am at St Wilfrid's in Brayton.

Also, to reassure you that Rev Christine Gillespie and Rev Phil Grayson, supported by Rev Roy Shaw, will continue to oversee ministry and mission in the parish as the process begins of finding a new Rector. My heartfelt thanks to them, and to all in the parish who will be working hard as the parish moves into a period of uncertainty, but also, I hope, excitement as to what God has ahead for the parish.

I will, of course, hold you all much in my prayers, and would ask that, if you are someone who prays, you will remember us in yours too. Thank you.

With my love and blessings

Rev Pete

St Wilfrid's Churchwarden Pat Jarvis adds:

Dear All

You will have received the email from Rev Pete yesterday with a feeling of sadness I'm sure. We are sorry that he will be leaving Brayton Parish after fourteen years of ministry here and want to give him a good send off when he moves into his new role as Chaplain in the Wakefield area hospitals.At Rev Pete's final service on the 10th December we will be presenting him with a leaving gift from the Parish and you may like to make a contribution to this gift. If you do this can be done in several ways:
By cheque or cash - cheques made out to Brayton Parochial Church Council - and please put in an envelope marked Rev PeteEnvelopes can be put in the collection plate at the back of church at services on Wednesday 29th Nov, Sunday 4th Dec and Wed 6th Dec Thankyou.
They can also be sent or delivered either to me or to our treasurer Jill Clarke Please contact us by phone or email for our addresses. ThankyouPat Jarvis (Churchwarden) [email protected] 01757 708881Jill Clarke (Church Treasurer) [email protected] 01757 708646
OR

You can contribute by direct bank transfer to the church bank account. Please see the details below:Bank : Virgin MoneyAccount name: Brayton Parochial Church CouncilSort Code: 05 07 62Account number: 25126061 (When making the transfer please indicate for Rev Pete)Thankyou very much.
We hope you will be able to join us for Rev Pete's final Sunday service with us at 10.30am on Sunday 10th December at St Wilfrid's, when we will give Pete and Charlotte a very special thankyou for their ministry and all that they have given to our Parish in the fourteen years they have been with us.
With my thanks and best wishes

Pat Jarvis