Autumn is a time of visible change in our surroundings, yellow, brown and red foliage is everywhere, and the nights are drawing in. However much the approach of winter may be regretted it is inevitable as the year draws to a close.
Many people, more knowledgeable than I, have reflected on change. There are many examples of their thoughts from the pessimistic “There is a certain relief in change, though it be for the worse” to the realism of “The old order changeth, yielding place to the new and God fulfils himself in many ways”. Quotations from Washington Irving (1824), and Alfred Lord Tennyson (1869) respectively.
It is only a few months ago that Fr John announced his retirement and for me, this time has raced past, and his departure is a fact. So now we have to cope with our own time of change at St Johns, and can only guess at how long it may be before we are able to welcome a new Vicar to our Parish.
It will be up to us all to work together and ensure that we maintain our community in good heart in anticipation of this event sometime next year. As churchwardens Kathy Lawrence and I now have the responsibility for the well being of the Parish, and we will, of course, do our best to meet this objective. I am pleased to say there is already, much support being offered to us, but more is always welcome. So do please let us know if you are able to do just that little bit extra to help St Johns. I am confident that with your’s and God’s help we will emerge from these changing times a stronger parish confidently coming to a new beginning in the next year.
Roger Gardner.