Monday 11th March

Thank you all so much for the wonderful send-off you gave us yesterday.  We had such a lovely time, and really appreciated the fact that so many of you could be present for our final services and the lunch time gathering, even though it was Mothering Sunday!.  We were so pleased that we were also joined by former church members and curates.  If you missed our final service you can catch up here.  Caroline and I are particularly grateful to all who helped to plan, organise, cook, serve, clear up and so many other things.  The lunch was absolutely delicious and the personalised cakes were amazing.  Well done and thanks to everyone but especially to Ann Toley, Mary Ann Auckland and Jane Maffett who masterminded the whole day and worked incredibly hard to make it such a special occasion.
 
Thank you too for the presentations made to us.  We have been overwhelmed by your generosity and as well as a large financial gift are grateful for the many thoughtful cards and gifts to help us settle into our new home and ease our way into rural life!
 
Many people contributed to yesterday’s lunch but the organising team have asked to me to remind you that anyone who wasn’t able to bring food and wanted to make a contribution towards the cost can do so here.

A Thanksgiving Service (following a private family Cremation) for the late John Jackson will be held at St. Stephen's on Tuesday 19th March at 12:45pm followed by refreshments in the hall – all are welcome.
 
This is the last letter that I shall write to you as your Vicar, and I want to emphasise what I said yesterday.  St Stephen’s has been a very special place for us to be for the past 15years and we are going to miss it and all of you enormously.  As I look back, I am thrilled to see all that God has done in bringing new people, transforming lives, and renewing our worship life.  My prayer is that you continue to grow in the things of the Kingdom and in due course will be joined by a new leader who will help you move forward, deeper into all that God has in store for you.

For us, this rest of this week will be taken up with the practicalities of moving house and we would value your prayers that everything goes smoothly. 

Let me finish with my prayer for you all which is part of the passage from Philippians 4 that I spoke on yesterday.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
 
With my love as always


Steve