Good evening lovely people, I’ve made it to Friday!

I almost feel as though I haven’t been here this week, with a whole day in the diocesan office and two days in Usk primary school interviewing to appoint a new head teacher. It’s such a daunting and important task, and the responsibility is a real privilege. They were a tough couple of days but being in the school is such a joyous thing to do. The children speak about their faith and beliefs with such ease, I always come away refreshed and encouraged. 

What do I need to tell you for the coming week? Well my diary looks a little less pressured which will give me a chance to catch up on all that has been neglected – an opportunity to catch my breath. Those moments are critical aren’t they? I wonder whether I should actually build them into my diary, so that I can know that there is time I can lurch towards, when all the important but less urgent things get their due time. From the autumn I will be scheduling a monthly day which I am going to call my discernment day. It will be a time when I can step away from all the day to day stuff and spend time with God, praying and seeking his purpose and will for us. This will tie in perfectly with trying to navigate our way through the conversations that we have begun as part of the Leading Your Church into Growth sessions. It’s too easy to just keep going, and just as we have talked about whether we are in “maintenance” or “mission” mode with our church lives, I need to do something similar for the life of the Ministry Area. Space to see the bigger picture and time to pray and reflect are essential parts of any growth plan, be it ourselves, our work, or our churches. This discernment day will replace my monthly quiet day which hasn’t really been working because I didn’t always see the importance  of it. In practice the day probably won’t look much different, but it will now be more likely to happen because I’ve recognised why I should do it! I am a work in progress!

I think the last thing to mention is a prayer request please. Over the next week all the year six children in our primary schools will be taking part in events, services, and parties to mark their final days in primary school and their transition to senior school. These are big times in their lives and I know that both staff and children would be very grateful for your prayers for them as they plan to say goodbye and prepare for new starts and bigger worlds. Please pray too for their families as they watch their little ones begin to mature and spread their wings.

I think I’m on top of emails, just about, but if I’ve missed anything that you would like a quick reply on, please can you re-send. Sorry to ask, but I worry!

With love to you and yours, and please be in touch if you think I can help with anything.

Sally xxx

Please note that Friday is usually my rest day. Emails received on Friday may not be responded to until after the weekend. Thank you for your understanding.