Good evening all,

I don’t know about you but I’ve been deeply disturbed and troubled by the news coming out of Israel and Palestine this week. Whilst many people have genuinely big things to worry about across the whole world, it brings into stark relief how trivial my own difficulties are. I really am very grateful for the roof over my head, the food in the fridge, for knowing where all my loved ones are, and for not living under any kind of threat.

I watch and wait to see what our government’s response will be to the crisis, not just the words but the actions too, mindful of how much practical support we gave to those fleeing Ukraine, and waiting to see, praying that we will, make a similarly generous response to all those in the Middle East who are without safety right now. If you don’t know what to do then please look at the work of Christian Aid and I have attached a prayer that you might like to use. It can be printed off and placed in churches too. If we do nothing else then we must pray, we really must.

In terms of local things to think about – please can I remind you that next Sunday (29th, 10.30am) is a fifth Sunday and so we will be worshipping as a Ministry Area in St. Peter’s Church Goytre. It would be lovely to  see as many people as possible there, and I’m sure like me, when we worship so frequently in small numbers (which is very special in its own way), it is different and uplifting to be reminded that we are part of something bigger,  by worshipping in a larger congregation. If transport is a problem please let me know, as I’m sure we can work something out.

Finally, I’d like to just say one of my thank yous. I never cease to be amazed as I travel about, by the love and care, the attention to detail, and the dedication you all show to our buildings, our churchyards, and most importantly, to one another. People will judge us by the way we treat each other, and I feel very privileged to be amongst such loving and generous people. Thank you.

With love to you all, you know where I am if you need me,

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.

Good Evening Friends,

I’m still refusing to turn on the central heating, how about you? That was fine at the beginning of the week but I’m not so sure now, how much longer can I hold out? haha!!

I had the very scary privilege of presenting a short talk to the bishops, archdeacons, and senior lay people across the whole province, earlier this week .I had been asked to speak about how to empower and encourage lay people in rural communities, and how to make it work! It’s not often I get anxious when asked to speak, but this was a particularly daunting audience! It was such a joy to talk about attitudes, and willingness, and about how we are fostering a sense of community and friendly support. It was wonderful to share some good news with those who are not quite so close to the ground as you and me. Please can I ask for your prayers now. Prayers that we can continue to look after each other, and also that we can encourage each of our communities to thrive and develop distinctive and exciting ways to be faithful and to honour God. I do think we are doing very well given all that has changed over the last few years. Thank you for your part in that.

Things to tell you – 

Well the diary is rather blank in terms of things I need to alert you to, which is a bit strange, I do hope I’ve not forgotten something! That doesn’t mean I’m not busy though, so you will see me out and about locally. I read something really interesting the other day about how we all tell each other how busy we are and wear it like a badge of honour – I’m busier than you, and therefore more tired and weary. Not a great way to be competitive is it?! So please be assured that when I say I’m busy, that’s not to tell you that I’m overworked, but to say that even if you don’t see me, I’m quietly plodding on with things that will come to fruition, or that I’m visiting, or in school, or praying. Prayer is such a central part of all this, and whether it is a few minutes, or a rare but much protected half day, then it all adds up and makes sure that I am listening to God, as well as listening to you, about what we should be doing. I recommend it, I really do.

And with that, I am off to Bristol, to take the boys to catch a bus to France. They have tickets for Wales’ match on Saturday and have a route planned that would make the film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles look tame!!

With love and my prayers,

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 friends,

We got back from sunny Staffordshire late this afternoon, so I’m very pleased to sit down with a cuppa and tell you about the conference and catch up a little bit. I hope your week has gone well?

The conference was for all the clergy in the diocese – the first full gathering since 2016. We had various lectures, talks, and workshops about how to flourish in ministry, about finding hope amongst the stuff of life, and about the value of humour and its importance for wellbeing. It was an excellent few days, busy and not really restful, but a great opportunity to learn alongside colleagues, as well as enjoying quizzes, stand up comedy, and Karaoke in the evenings!

That word flourishing resonates very loud and with great frequency for me. Flourishing is what God wants for us, and it is when we do so that we become the person he calls us to be. To flourish means to grow and develop in an abundant way, as a result of being in the place we are meant to be, surrounded by those we are meant to be with. How does that settle for you, in terms of whether you are flourishing? or not? I’m really keen that we all flourish and that we encourage each other to be our very best version, which isn’t all about doing, but also about enjoying, celebrating, and being where we find ourselves to be happy, challenged, and excited by life. Quite a tough call really, but something that can only be good to aspire to. What do you think?

I think I”m going to leave it there for now, but ask that you pray with me over the coming weeks. As we prepare for Kevin to leave and we cope with the vacancy, we mustn’t lose sight of God’s desire for the best for us, so please use the words below, or your own. Thank you.

With love,

Sally xxxx

Father God, 

Thank you for bringing us to this place. 

May we flourish in your care, 

open to your plan for us.

Help us to rest in you, work with you, 

and celebrate you in all that we do.

May we discern your desires for us,

and may we love others as you love us.

In the name of your Son Jesus, 

and trusting in the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

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