Good evening my lovely friends,

We really are on the last stretch now – I’ve only got one Carol Service left, out of eight, and I have loved every single one of them – all with their own special parts, and all with a little mistake on my part!!

Just to update you about Libby – she is home and although still not at all well ,she is on good medication, and is trying to build her strength back up. She will have another round of investigations in the New Year before getting on the right long term treatment. She has asked me to convey her thanks for all your concern and prayers.

Just to let you know, it is traditional for clergy to take the weekdays between Christmas and New year as rest days. I won’t be doing that this year as I have the joy of a wedding on New Year’s Eve, and also it is helpful if someone is available for emergency things that arise. Instead I will be off from the afternoon of Sunday 1st, and back in church on Sunday 8th January. I will get back to emails and phone calls that come in that week, from Monday 9th Jan. I hope that’s clear.

In addition, there will be no LIFT until Thursday 12th January, and Just Five Minutes is taking a break until 9th January.

Which leaves me with two things to say – 

The first is a huge and sincere thank you to everyone who has contributed to the festive season in our churches and communities in any way. Welcoming so many extra people to our services is always a joy but is also hard work. I can assure you it is worth it – we are sowing seeds of curiosity or fanning embers of faith in everyone when we greet them with the love of God in our smiles. All the churches have looked stunning, you really are a wonderfully faithful and hardworking lot, thank you very very much.

Second, I would like to wish you a truly wonderful Christmas, how ever you are spending it, and I hope that the New Year will bring you peace and hope. Let us walk into the New year together, hopeful that God has a plan for us, keen to see what it is, and confident that he walks beside us as we do our best to live our lives in his love.

With much love to you all,

Sally xxxx

— 

	Rev’d Sally Ingle-Gillis
Vicar, Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area
Monmouth Diocese
07813 264429