Good evening all,

A little later than I had planned, here is my round up for the week, and what a mixed week it has been! I’ve seen many of you offering wonderful care for each other, I’ve seen lots of people making time for prayer, and I’ve witnessed hours and hours of volunteer time to help make our communities richer and happier places. Thank you all.

I’m frantically trying to get to the bottom of a rather long task list ready to go on holiday. This will be the last LIFT until 18^th February as we leave for the States next Wednesday in the evening and will be away for two weeks. While we are away Hannah will be the first point of contact – her details are on the pew sheet and will be on my email out of office and phone message. She’s going to be very busy for that fortnight and Will and I are very grateful to her and Helen, Stephen, and Bill for making sure that the work continues. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated team.

I went to a big meeting last Saturday and there was a very special prayer as part of the worship, I thought I would share it with you this evening and ask you to pray it over the coming weeks. We must never underestimate the power of prayer, especially when we all pray together.

Thank you for your care and all that you do for the life of God’s church.

Love Sally xxxx

God of the journey,

Go before us into every conversation,

Every idea, every challenge, every opportunity.

Root us in love, fill us with joy, stretch us in generosity,

Ground us in humility, anchor us in integrity,

And embolden us with courage. Amen.

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Please note that emails are not monitored after 6pm and Friday is usually my rest day.

Thank you for your understanding.

Good evening friends,

Wet? It’s not much fun is it? We are cheering ourselves at the vicarage by enjoying looking at the tree which is still up with twinkling fairy lights, as we chomp on the left over mince pies, cheese and pickles. I will not be embarrassed about this!

Another busy week and I’m aware that lots of people have lots going on in their lives. Please know that I pray for you every day and that I and the rest of the team are doing our best to care for you spiritually. January  always seems t be a tough month doesn’t it?

While I’m thinking about it, I would just like to give you a little bit of warning that Will and I are soon going to be taking our post Christmas break. We added another week to it and will be going to the States from 3-17th February, to see Pat, and to have a little bit of R&R. Everything is in hand and I know that the rest of the clergy team will take good care of you and be happy to help with anything that arises. I’m just letting you know so that it doesn’t come as a surprise in a couple of weeks.

I’m not sure I have much else on my mind to share this evening except a little reminder that 31^st January is the next Big Breakfast. So come along and bring a friend.

Let me know if there is anything that is in need of prayer. 

With my love, Sally xxxx

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Please note that emails are not monitored after 6pm and Friday is usually my rest day. 

Thank you for your understanding.

Good evening friends,

Well it’s been a very long day! I was woken this morning at about 5am by a man’s voice shouting “help me” several times. I didn’t dream it because I woke at the first call and then listened to the others, along with a dog barking and other noises I couldn’t distinguish. So I got up and threw on a dressing gown to go and investigate. Quite what the vicar was going to do in the dark, in a dressing gown and slippers without her glasses on I hadn’t really thought through, but I was definitely going to help!

I owe an apology to the man with ear buds in, walking his dog in the dark (a rather gorgeous yellow labradoodle) as I jumped out from behind the hedge asking if he had been calling for help or heard anyone else in distress. We both listened carefully and couldn’t hear any more calls, at which point he looked at me and said “aren’t you the vicar?” I wrapped my dressing gown a little tighter and said that I was, so he said, very brightly “I hope your day goes well” and disappeared into the dawn light! 

I have no idea what went on, who that man was, or what I thought I was up to, but that was the start of my day!! You couldn’t make it up 🙂

How is your week going? Our Christmas tree is still in situ, and we are still using the Christmas crockery, so that gives you some idea of how my life admin is, and I’m not sure my work admin is much better! This week has been about people, many of them grieving, and struggling, some confused and trying to find their way, and others rejoicing and excited about good news stories that are unfolding in their lives. Ministry is such a gift that I get to share all those things with you all. Thank you.

Tonight we are off out to celebrate a family birthday, and tomorrow I will be quietly flopping about, looking at all the things that need to be done, and making a plan to do them later! Haha!

Just one thing to remind you about this week, and that is that our new bible studies have begun, under the care and expertise of Rev’d Helen. If you would like to know more, please drop her a line 

I hope you have a good weekend, with my love and prayers as always,

Sally xxx

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Please note that emails are not monitored after 6pm and Friday is usually my rest day.  

Thank you for your understanding.

A Happy New Year to you! 

How are you all?

I’m a day early this week since this week is the time in the month when I have two days off – tomorrow and Friday. The timing is perfect since I am also taking this afternoon off so that Will and I can travel to Durham. I hope the snow doesn’t get in our way! As you know I’ve been slowly chipping away at some study over the last three years and this summer I finally finished my master’s in Theology, Ministry, and Mission. We travel to Durham for my graduation, which is tomorrow in the cathedral. Next time I lead evensong or another service requiring Choir Dress, I will have a new hood! 

In other news, I want to thank every single one of you for the care and energy you put into the preparations and services that all our churches had during Advent and on Christmas Day. The feedback has been tremendous and I am just waiting for a few bits and pieces of information before I let you know how many people crossed our thresholds during the season. I think you’ll be surprised! I wonder what your highlights were and whether you had any conversations that have encouraged you about people perhaps considering coming to church as a result of something that happened over Christmas? I had a call form someone just today who wants to come along, having had a lovely experience at a carol service – our welcomes really do make a difference! Well done and thank you.

With that, I’ll take my leave and get my bag packed. I might post a photo or two on social media tomorrow, we shall see.

Dont’ forget you can always ask me for your prayers, just drop me line.

With my love and gratitiude for you all,

Sally xxx

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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.

Good evening all,

Just a short note from me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful new year. This week has been wonderfully busy with school carol services, Christmas dinners, community Carols and church services. It’s all beginning to feel very festive and my feet won’t touch the ground between now and Christmas dinner on the 25th!

I won’t write another LIFT until the new year, but I am around for the whole of the season so let me know if there are any urgent pastoral needs or things that need my prayer.

Thank you so much for all that you do for the life of our worshipping communities, and I look forward with great hope towards 2026 – watching God at work in the Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area, with you all.

Much love as always,

Sally xxxx

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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.

Dear Friends,

A late one this evening – I’m just back from one of my favourite Carol Services – the one in Usk Prison. The choir there are under a new director, part of a project which means that they are supported by two people from the Welsh National Opera, and oh my goodness, what a wonderful choir they have become. There is something profound and challenging (in the best possible way) to listen to prisoners give thanks for all that they have to sing with such gusto about the joy of Christmas. 

Please can I remind you that Sue Russell is spending time each morning in Llandenny Church, 9am, in a short time of prayer and lighting a candle for every day of Advent. What a wonderful way to spend just a few moments in this busy season, reflecting on the reason we are preparing to celebrate. Please do pop along and join her if you are able.

Finally, please don’t forget our Quiet Day on Saturday, led by Rev’d Helen, in the hall in Llanfair Kilgeddin. 10am-4pm. I’m about to do an online shop for the snacks, please bring your own lunch. Another chance to breathe, take stock and give thanks.

And now it’s time for some fish and chips, and to find my slippers.

You know where I am, and thank you for all that you are doing. I feel very lucky to be in this place.

With love,

Sally xxxx 

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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.

Good evening all,

It’s turning out to be another whirlwind of a week and I am very much looking forward to a day of mundane domestic chores tomorrow! How are you?

An important change to the Sunday rota that I need to tell you about – this Sunday, 7^th Dec. There is no service in Llandegfedd. I’m sorry for the mistake on the pew sheets – my fault entirely. The congregation there are going to aim to go to the bishop’s celebration service in the afternoon instead – Usk at 4pm. I hope to see as many of you there as possible. It will be a lovely occasion.

Actually, I’m sure there are other things I need to tell you or that might be good to chat about, but it’s nearly 9pm and I’ve not had dinner yet, so would you mind if I called it a day and got into my pyjamas?

You know where I am if you need anything and please be assured of my prayers.

Lots of love,

Sally xxx

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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.