Where has today gone? Well it’s been a wonderful day, starting with the Usk School Easter service in church. 250 children sang and retold the story of Holy Week and Easter. They read and prayed beautifully and their singing gave me goosebumps – they really do bring the building alive and give me such hope. After some service preparation I then met with the Anglican chaplain from Usk prison. Meeting local colleagues and looking at how we can support each other is incredibly important and I’m very grateful for these opportunities. My final appointment for the day was meeting with a couple who are getting married soon. I love marriage conversations, and this one had the bonus of being on a local farm so I had a rather lovely time chatting as we admired the numerous new lambs, including several triplets and some very large singles. I was reminded how gruelling farming is, such long working hours and a way of life, a vocation, that never ceases.
Then it was home to see what my email inbox had to offer, and try to clear my desk before the end of the day. I’ve failed on that last point! Whoops!
This Sunday sees our Palm Sunday services and then we are into Holy Week. It’s come so quickly. Please don’t forget the Compline services in Llandenny, Llangybi, and Monkswood, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7.30pm. Hopefully you have had a chance to look at the programme of services I sent earlier in the week? I have attached it again for ease. Also, I hope you’ve recalled that we will not be going to the Blorenge for Easter Sunrise. This year we are going to have the service at St. David’s Church in Trostrey at 6am. There will be all the things you might expect, plus a fire, paschal candles for all our churches, and refreshments. Please do come along.
With next week in mind, I do hope I will see as many of you as possible at the various special services that are happening. Be assured of my prayers for you during this season, and let me know if there is anything I can pray for specifically.
With my love,
Sally xx
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Please note that emails are not monitored after 6pm and Friday is usually my rest day.
So this is the week in the month when Will and I take our precious 48 hours, not just a single day, of rest. Far from resting, we find ourselves in Edinburgh visiting Eli! Not a bad way to spend the time and we had a lovely train ride to get here. I’ve never been and am looking forward to exploring somewhere new as well as enjoying the pleasure of a hotel bed and a hearty breakfast in the morning!
How is your week? This time of year is especially busy with all the things I don’t think I’m very good at – sorting out money, thinking about annual reports, and preparing for the Annual Vestry Meeting. It feels a little bit too far removed from ministry, but I am reminding myself that supporting those who are doing the hard graft to ensure our Ministry Area and our charity structure runs smoothly is a very important ministry. So many of you do so much, I really do think you are awesome!
Recently I’ve been noticing more occasions, events, and plans, that have involved churches collaborating and supporting each other, which is so exciting to watch. We really are all in this together! Well done those of you who have altered plans, accommodated the dreams of others, and have reached out in friendship to another church or community, to help each other – you set a wonderful example of Christian care.
And with that I shall leave you to your evening, or morning! Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting news coming soon about our Ministry Area retreat day, which is on Saturday 18th July, so this is your shout out to “save the date’!. Please remember that I am praying for you and your journey through Lent – I hope it is spiritually nourishing as we continue to journey towards Easter.
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.
It’s turning out to be quite a week – lots of tail chasing and way too much administration! This afternoon’s Quiet Afternoon run by Rev’d Helen was a gem amongst all that though. A few hours to pray, to rest in God, to reflect, and to draw close. I highly recommend that you take part in the next one. The time spent with God is never wasted, in fact it is a gift!
While I think about it, I’ve done a really poor job of advertising the Stations of the Cross in Usk, they began last week! Tomorrow (Friday) is in St. Mary’s and everyone is welcome – 3pm. They offer another opportunity to spend time with God – why not give it a go?
Did you spot the sunshine this week? It was such a glorious sight and coincided with a full moon on one night, I happened to appreciate both on the same day and was reminded of how faithful the seasons are, under God’s care – daffodils blooming, green buds appearing, warm sun on our faces, and a lightness in the air. I’m not prone to poetic language but after the all the rain it was such a welcome reminder that all things are for a season and there is hope on its way.
And now I think I might close – it’s getting late and I’ve not had dinner, and also have some gritty admin tasks left to do before I have a rest tomorrow morning. Please do contact me if I can pray for you – it’s a privilege to pray and I take it seriously – it’s never a chore.
I hope you have something in your diary to look forward to, and you know where I ma if I can help with anything.
Love Sally xxxx
Dear Lord,
Spring is a season of change and renewal.
Some changes we eagerly await, and some we abhor.
Some changes we plan and others arrive uninvited.
To all these changes we ask the gift of your perspective beckoning us to expectation, hope, and rebirth.
May the sunlight and the rain be reminders that You are at work renewing the earth.
As a God of renewal, You are ever at work in our lives, too.
Please open our eyes and lives to the needed changes in our lives this Spring.
Awaken us to new life and perspective, for we pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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Thank you for your understanding.
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How is your week going? Unusually, my week has been one of balance – I’ve done several things that have felt like “proper vicaring” alongside the more hidden and big picture stuff, which is still vicaring but less traditional. Even the meetings have felt hopeful and constructive, opportunities that will almost certainly develop into exciting things for us all.
How is your Lent progressing? Have you decided to read one of the books we suggested? I made a good start but must confess that I already have some catching up to do. I’m hoping to get back to it this evening and over the weekend. Discipline is so important and yet so elusive! I’ve attached the list again in case you have yet to get started, along with a reminder about the Quiet Day and the Carbon Fast. Please do join in if you would like to.
Do you know what? I think I’m going to leave it there. We have a meeting tonight so I’ll click send on this, go to the meeting, and then home to pick up my new knitting project and the promise of a sleep that won’t be broken by the alarm clock. My needs are simple 🙂
Please let me know if I can pray for you or anything that is troubling you. Praying is my bread and butter, and is always a privilege; something that I consider to be most important in that great list we all have of “important things”.
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.
I’m back! Will and I had an excellent break and managed to balance some rest time, with family time and also a little trip to Charleston to sample the sea food and sea air. Jet lag is real but doesn’t diminish the refreshment felt. Thank you so much to all those who worked so hard in our absence. One of the many benefits of being a Ministry Area is the sharing of workload allowing me to have a proper break. That was so much harder to do when stipended clergy worked in smaller church groups.
Now a question – Did you leave a gift for me in the vestry in Usk? If so, I love it, thank you so much! Please let me know it was you so I can thank you properly 🙂
What are you doing to mark the season of Lent?
There is plenty going on and I’ve attached some publicity for the various activities you may like to get involved in. These include a book list – pick a book and let us know which one so that we can link you with others reading the same book in case you want to meet up over a cuppa to discuss and reflect together. We have a Quiet Day on Thursday 5th March, and there is helpful advice and suggestions if you would like to undertake a carbon fast this Lent to help look after the planet and support our work as eco churches. Something for everyone! Let me know what you choose and how it goes.
And perhaps that is enough for today? We came back home to find our large fridge freezer was on its last legs. The replacement has arrived but the kitchen is in utter chaos with all that we had to do to swap them over and we still need to review all those items that slip to the back of the shelves and make a permanent home when they shouldn’t! Please tell me I’m not the only person with a less than well-ordered fridge? Haha!
My prayers are with you for a meaningful Lent, and you know where I am if there is anything I can do or pray for, for you.
With my love and gratitude,
Sally xx
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Please note that emails are not monitored after 6pm and Friday is usually my rest day.
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 18th 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.
