What a joy it has been for us to get back into our churches and worship
God once again with singing, word and sacrament, to experience fellowship
alongside one another. As churches slowly emerge from the "winter" of the
pandemic, it is as if we are entering a new season, a season of opportunity and
challenge.
I have come to realise through my own experiences that our lives are a
series of changing seasons. There are seasons when life is good and fulfilling and
other times when there is heartache and pain. I felt sadness when I lost my late
wife Diane after 42 years of marriage, but then I experienced a new season of joy
and happiness when I met and married Sarah. As the theme of our wedding day
Sarah and I chose the following Bible reading "See! The winter is past; the rains
are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come."
(Song of Songs 2:11,12).
Whilst the changing seasons of life set before us challenges to adapt, they
also give us new opportunities and experiences. In short you never know what the
future may bring and that is why in such times we need to continue trusting in God.
In many ways our Benefices are entering a new season. The pandemic inevitably
closed down several new initiatives we had started in our churches but now we are
starting afresh. It is an exciting new season that we are embarking on.
In July we are looking forward to welcoming our new Curate Rev Anthony Davis,
and I am sure that he will not only be a blessing to the Benefices, but you as the
people of our five parishes will also be a blessing to him.
Over the past 8 years Sarah and I have loved our time supporting the
ministry amongst you. It began with the interregnums that followed the retirement
of Rev Sheila Morton in 2014 and again in 2018 when Rev Madeleine left. When
Rev Tim Wilson arrived we pledged oursleves to work alongside him for 2 years,
which has turned out to be 4 years due to the pandemic.
It has been a privilege and joy to work alongside Rev Tim and Lay Minister
Geraldine, but now with the arrival of Anthony as Curate to join the team and my
approaching 75th birthday, Sarah and I feel that our season of ministry in the
Benefice has come to a natural close now that you have a Vicar, Curate and Lay
Minister in post, and we feel it is right that we return to worshipping in and around
our local community of Eaton Socon.
Changing seasons bring joy and heartache and whilst we will miss you all,
we are excited for you that this new season of ministry within the Benefices will
bring new initiatives, new blessings and new growth.
With our love, Rev David & Sarah (Miller).