Good evening everyone,

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.

Thank you for your understanding.

Good evening all,

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

Thank you for your understanding.

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Good evening all,

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.

Thank you for your understanding.

Hello all, 

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 5^th 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.

Thank you for your understanding.

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.