Good evening all,

Have you turned your heating on yet? We have not but this evening it is a little tempting!

The most important thing I need to tell you this week is that I am not around next week. All the clergy from the diocese will be in a retreat centre at a clergy conference. This is designed to refresh and encourage us, and I’m really looking forward to it. I won’t be doing any of the routine administration, but am happy to take messages on my answerphone which I will pick up during the gaps in the day. So if you need something pastoral then please don’t hesitate to be in touch, but all other stuff will be tackled upon my return (maybe the weekend, if I’m not drowning!) This will be the first time I’ve been on one of these, although they used to happen every two years. My ordained time has fallen over a period without a bishop and then Covid, so I’m quite excited. In previous years the venues have included Rome and somewhere in Brittany,  but I get to go to sunny Staffordshire. I’m sure it will still be wonderfully beneficial though.

In other news, we are looking forward to the vision day with the archdeacon on Saturday (well it’s a morning really) from 9.30-12.30. Do come along if you are able, and if not then please could you pray? Having spent the last 18 months putting structures in place we really do need to start doing the real work of God in terms of sharing his love and good news, and this Saturday is going to be a good springboard for this. I pray that the conversations will be fruitful and hopeful.

And now I think I might think about some dinner for us. It’s my turn to cook!

You know where I am if you need me, please don’t hesitate to be in touch .

With much love,

Sally xxx

— 
–Please note I will not usually reply to emails received on Fridays as this is my rest day. If you need me urgently please send me a voicemail on my mobile number. Thank you for your understanding.

	Rev’d Sally Ingle-Gillis
	Vicar, Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area Diocesan Newly Licensed Ministers Officer
	Monmouth Diocese
	07813 264429

Good evening lovely people,

Gosh, what a week! All good stuff but immensely busy, and the weekend looks much the same! If you are wondering what to do with yourself on Saturday morning you might like to join some of us at the carpark at Cadira Beeches Car Park in Wentwood for a walk and conversation. We are meeting at 10am and you are advised to wear sturdy shoes and bring a drink. No dogs,sorry. The walk has been organised by Branwen and Gwyneth from Usk church and is suitable for all levels of fitness 🙂 Whatever the weather, I will be walking!

Rather strangely I don’t think I have anything else to update you with today, except perhaps to remind you of the Vision Morning in Raglan Church on 30th Sept. 9.30am. I am hoping that we will be able to begin thinking about local energy and action, in the context of our bigger picture, and really hope as many of you as possible will be able to make it. If you need a lift please let me know.

Otherwise, please keep praying, there is a lot going on, and without prayer and a sense of God in all that we do, we are nothing more than a social club. I know you pray well and believe that God is at work amongst us. Thank you for all that you do and all your support :0)

With much love,

Sally xxx

— 
–Please note I will not usually reply to emails received on Fridays as this is my rest day. If you need me urgently please send me a voicemail on my mobile number. Thank you for your understanding.

	Rev’d Sally Ingle-Gillis
	Vicar, Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area Diocesan Newly Licensed Ministers Officer
	Monmouth Diocese
	07813 264429

A great celebration of Harvest in church followed by a magnificent lunch with over forty of our St Mary’s community. 

Good evening lovely people,

Goodness me the weeks go by quickly! I trust all is well with you? Whilst I”m preferring the slightly cooler days, I have noticed that the nights are drawing in. I don’t mind the dark, cold months but it always surprises me when they start to approach. Before we know it we will be in the season of remembrance and then lurching towards Christmas! I don’t wish the time away, it just seems to disappear!

This week I have two services to highlight for you – 

St. Mary’s Usk has added a regular service to its Sunday rota by offering a monthly evening prayer on the fourth Sunday of the month, starting on 24th September. It will be at 6pm and everyone is very welcome. The service will be led by someone from the lay worship team, and I hope this service will fill a local request for something in the evening. Please spread the word about this regular new service.

Also, St. Tegfedd’s Church in Llandegfedd is doing something a little different for its usual service on the same day, Sunday 24th Sept. at 10.30am. Instead of the usual liturgy we will be using the 1662 version of the Communion Service, slightly modified and with the addition of the William Byrd Mass setting. There will be a choir and I hope to see some of you there. 

We are very lucky to have so many people willing to try different things, and put in the extra work to make them happen. Thank you so much.

Also while I think about services, the harvest season is upon us with many local services and activities. Thank you to everyone who is busy decorating, collecting, and preparing for this important festival in our rural communities. You know, I never complain when I’m held up behind a tractor or other farm vehicle in the lanes – where would we be without a good harvest?

Finally, a prayer request  – I have a sense of lots of weary people, many who are anxious or fearful, some who are angry, and all in all, our congregations and communities have a feeling of tension and concern. Let us pray for each other over the next few weeks, particularly praying for patience, gentleness, and peace. Be assured of my prayers and my eternal hope for our future together. We have much to look forward to, and I know we can share God’s love with each other if we keep our focus on him.

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways;
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.         (John Greenleaf Whittier)Amen.

With love to you all,

Sally xxx

— 
–Please note I will not usually reply to emails received on Fridays as this is my rest day. If you need me urgently please send me a voicemail on my mobile number. Thank you for your understanding.

	Rev’d Sally Ingle-Gillis
	Vicar, Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area Diocesan Newly Licensed Ministers Officer
	Monmouth Diocese
	07813 264429

Good evening all,

It’s good to be back. I really mean that – I had a wonderful holiday and packed loads in, and as a result felt really well rested and refreshed. As I began the holiday I had a repeated prayer that was actually something I heard rather than said – 

“Refresh me, 

revive me, 

show me”

The first two of that triplet have certainly been given, now I wait to be shown what this season will bring and what we are to do with it. I wonder, what do you think we should be thinking about next?

This week back has been so busy but lots has been achieved and I’m really looking forward to being at the Usk Show on Saturday. I can think of nothing better than roaming around our agricultural show having conversations with new people and being the church visible in the place God wants it to be!

What do I need to tell you?

Well, by now you have all heard Kevin’s news that he will be leaving us at the end of November. The conversation (at a higher level than me!) has already begun about  the future and I am confident that we will be fine! Kevin has done an excellent job in setting up the ministry area so we have good foundations and are in a better place than some others. Kevin is with us until the end of November and plans for a good send off and gift will follow in due course.

Finally can I make one of my frequent prayer requests please? As the ministry area beds in and we learn new processes I think we are vulnerable to dis-ease and disagreement. Let us pray that as Chirstians we can speak kindly, work together even when we disagree ,and that we can find God’s will and purpose in all that we do. Our money and our buildings are tools for his mission, let us find ways of making that exciting, creative, and possible. Thank you 🙂

With love to you all,

Sally xxx

— 
–Please note I will not usually reply to emails received on Fridays as this is my rest day. If you need me urgently please send me a voicemail on my mobile number. Thank you for your understanding.

	Rev’d Sally Ingle-Gillis
	Vicar, Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area Diocesan Newly Licensed Ministers Officer
	Monmouth Diocese
	07813 264429

Good evening all, 

As you read this I am either frantically gathering stuff or am well on my way to America to meet Will and have a much needed rest. Thank you for all your well wishes for my trip. While I am away I will not be picking up any emails or phone messages, WhatsApp or Messenger messages, so please don’t worry if you contact me but don’t hear back. 

For urgent things contact Kevin on his phone – 07592 822022

For routine things that cannot wait until September, please email Kevin – 

I will be back in Church on 3rd September and will begin to pick up emails and messages from 4th September. How quickly I get back to you will depend on how many emails and messages there are! I know you understand this but it’s always worth giving dates, and saying thank you for the way you so generously honour my time off. Thank you.

I’m a bit sad that I will be missing the Usk Pride event that is taking place on Saturday 26th August. The church will be taking part in this event which is aimed at young people, as an opportunity to be affirming, and offer a safe place to ask questions. The team at St. Mary’s will be making friendship bracelets with the young people and would welcome your help if you have an hour or two to spare. Please contact  –

Carol 

or 

Sarah  

This venture is new to the area and offers us a wonderful opportunity to let people know that as a church we do not judge, and are keen to tell the world that everyone is loved by God.

FInally, be assured that being on holiday doesn’t stop me praying and I shall continue to hold each of you in prayer every day. I will be back soon enough :0

Love to you all,

Sally xxxx

— 
–Please note I will not usually reply to emails received on Fridays as this is my rest day. If you need me urgently please send me a voicemail on my mobile number. Thank you for your understanding.

	Rev’d Sally Ingle-Gillis
	Vicar, Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area Diocesan Newly Licensed Ministers Officer
	Monmouth Diocese
	07813 264429

Good evening friends,

I trust you are well and that something this summer is bringing you joy? Is it big or small? Sometimes the best of joys is in the little things, don’t you think?

Next Thursday I will send my letter as usual as my last piece of work before I fly to the USA to visit Will’s mum and take a holiday. I’m giving you a week’s notice just in case there is anything really urgent that you wanted to be in touch about. Next week is already full but I am happy to chat on the phone or answer emails of course, if you have anything you need to chat about before September. I will be back on 1st Sept. and will be in full swing from the Sunday/Monday.

And what about this week? Well it’s been a good week with some interesting conversations and meetings about the future. The overwhelming mood from people is one of hope and optimism. There’s a good feeling, and none of us can put our finger on precisely what it is that is giving this feeling. That all sounds rather exciting to me – these feelings rarely come from nowhere, perhaps they are God at work in our midst, helping us to connect and be his hands and feet in our communities. We all feel pressure to fill our churches and make the books balance, but actually our buildings and our cash are tools for the real work – bringing those we meet into relationship with God by loving them and not judging them. Perhaps that is what we are sensing? One of the things about this that is important is that we must share it. When we tell others that we are hopeful, when we celebrate publicly, when we share our optimism it can become infectious, and it encourages others. Churches that talk about positive things become positive places. 

FInally, can I ask you for your prayers please. Alongside all that is wonderful, which definitely needs our prayers, I am also aware that some are struggling. Let’s not forget to pray for those who are finding life tough at the moment. Thank you.

I shall see lots of you at the Big Breakfast on Saturday I hope (Memorial Hall, Usk, 8-11m) or perhaps at church on Sunday.

With love Sally xxxx

— 
–Please note I will not usually reply to emails received on Fridays as this is my rest day. If you need me urgently please send me a voicemail on my mobile number. Thank you for your understanding.

	Rev’d Sally Ingle-Gillis
	Vicar, Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area Diocesan Newly Licensed Ministers Officer
	Monmouth Diocese
	07813 264429