This month’s letter is from Rev Helen – her last to us as Curate of this parish.
Well, this is it, the summer is finally upon us! I’d normally make a comment here like I hope we get some nice weather unlike the last few months but as I write this, we are in the middle of the third heatwave in what feels like as many weeks! The summer can often be quite a busy time for us with lots to do like going on holiday, extra activities as schools finish like looking after children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews for more time than you know what to do with them. We’ve even done well in the football, semi-finals for the boys that’s not too bad! We just won’t mention the women have brought it home more recently…twice…
I often find that for me the summer is a time to take a moment and reflect, pray and think about the next part of the year. Thinking about the year you’ve had as the nights are starting to draw in again, the leaves will be on the turn, and the autumn will be upon us. This summer will be a real time for me to stop and think because it’s going to bring a big change, curate to incumbent, Prestwich to Oldham, it’s going to be different! Anticipation for where I’m going but also lament and sadness at what I’m leaving behind.
I’ve been reflecting on my time here at St Margaret’s and St George’s it’s been good, interesting and even plain weird at times! I’ve enjoyed all the challenges of Parish life, from the graveyard to the buildings and all the things that come with them. I’ve loved meeting all the different and extraordinary people here, not just in the congregations but those we work with and meet in other places as well. I’ll never forget being at Parcival Hall and leading a session on Dietrich Bonhoeffer not knowing his godson was sat outside the room listening and so happy Bonhoeffer was still being remembered and talked about, what an amazing moment.
It’s also been so lovely to be surrounded by nature and creation. You really do learn to appreciate it with Heaton Park on the doorstep, even with Parklife and five nights of Oasis making everything a bit more interesting. I’ve also seen it in my own garden with the variation of wildlife that has passed through it over the years, invited and uninvited…I’ve had field mice, rats, more squirrels than you need in your life, foxes, pigeons pecking the grass for worms after the rain, crows, a flock of ducks and I’ll never forget the day a deer found its way in! That taught me an important life lesson, if anyone ever tries to persuade you it’s possible to catch a deer (especially in the pouring rain) you can’t! Looking at you for that one Rev Christine…
I have loved my time in Prestwich and Simister and will be taking a lot of happy memories and lessons into my first incumbency. The next big step on my journey as a priest in Jesus Church because no matter what might be coming next, the joys, the challenges I know he’s got me, as he always has before, so what is there to fear!
This summer take some time to yourselves. Reflect and pray on the year you’ve had and what’s coming next, but never fear because no matter what, Jesus has got you.
Thank you and God bless
Helen
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 