Good evening to you all,

As promised, here is my weekly catch up with you. Please feel free to share widely and with people inside and outside the church if you think they would like to hear from me. Likewise, if you have received this and don’t want to get a weekly update from me then just let me know and I’ll drop you off the contacts for it.

So what news do I have? Well five days in and there have been some lovely lovely things happen, and one or two harder things. Just as I might expect it to be in fact. One of the wonderful things has been the number of non church people who I have bumped into who have shown interest in my new role. They have seen it on social media and whilst they haven’t always fully understood, they’ve asked good questions and I’ve had lots of opportunities to talk about our churches, our hopes and dreams, and generally got the feeling that our churches and faith do matter to those on the fringes. How wonderful.

As I sometimes like to, I wonder whether I might ask you for your prayers please. I am aware,  as I am sure you are, that there are areas of often hidden poverty in our communities. This brings with it health concerns, particularly worries about mental health and well being. Please will you join me in specifically praying for those who are struggling in these shorter days and longer nights, with their mental health. It is often the aspect of our personal care that we are slowest to attend to, and yet so much hinges on it. Equally, if you are struggling with your own mental health and think a visit from a member of clergy or someone from our pastoral care team might help, please don’t hesitate to ask. No one should struggle alone.

The other thing to mention this week is that lots of people have told me how uplifting and motivating they found the sermon the bishop gave at my licensing service. She has kindly forwarded it to me for inclusion this evening in case you missed it or wanted to read it for yourself. Let me know what you think.

And so there I think I will leave it for this week. My rest day consists of meeting my parents in Cheltenham to look at a possible assisted living apartment they are interested in, and then I’m going to tidy the house, which looks as though we have suffered a tornado, before curling up with a good book and watching Mr Bates vs. the Post Office which I suspect will be no good at all for my blood pressure.  

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

With my love and prayers,

Sally xxx

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.