Richard on TV

Our dear friend Richard Davis was on telly today - one of these house buying shows where they get you to look at three houses and tell you to pick one. I know they didn't go for one of the houses on the show but it's worth seeing anyway. I did note they were both referred to as 'vicars'. Isn't ecumenism wonderful...

Richard's Re-Tyre-Ment Party

Richard's Retirement was marked with a service, a meal, tributes and dancing... In true Richard style, everything over-ran...
I was struck by the message "The fields are white but the laborours are few". This was a comment on Richard's special ministry. It was also a reminder that ministers can't retire - really - and it was a call to others to help with the work. As we were told, the best tribute to Richard would be for others to hear the same call to serve God in the local church...

Sunday after Christmas

Today was a significant day in the life of the Watling Valley Partnership. Richard Davis took his final services before starting his period of sick leave, leading to retirement. This morning, he was with Holy Cross and St Mary's where he has been minister with oversight for 8 and 6 years respectively.
Richard's departure begins a second URC vacancy in the partnership - and we could be waiting 18 months plus before a new minister is appointed. In the meantime, Mike and I will be working with three churches each, and "emergency plan B" will come into effect... This involves each congregation having two sundays per month with "their" minister, one with a member of the team and one locally led...
One of the side effects of "plan B" is that Mike and I will inevitably be spending less time with particular congregations, so today was a day of mini goodbyes as well...

9:30am at St Giles

I took the service at St Giles, which is one of the congregations I expect to see less often in the next few months. There were a number of people away, but some old friends in the congregation so it was a good occassion.

11:00am at Servant King

Servant King is another congregation I expect to see less of and I felt particularly sorry to say goodbye to them this morning. I've quite enjoyed my monthly visit to Furzton. Here they are wishing a Happy New Year to you... A New Year will soon begin and it's going to be an interesting one...