Not quite the Vicar's letter

 (Gail has now formally retired and left Lofthouse parish)

 

 

I'm not sure what I am since July 18th and my last service in Lofthouse. It feels very strange, rather disembodied ‑ and the Vicarage looks like the Middleton recycling centre.

 

We're packing and going three ways ‑ to Wakefield, to Saltaire and to Northumberland. The dogs (my well known and well loved companion animals) would be looking forward no doubt to beach walks if they knew the significance of the present chaos. The phone line has been diverted to the Church Treasurer who will field all requests for baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc: and point you in the right direction for further help. And I've finally packed my books ‑ piles and piles tied with orange string. There are empty shelves in the bookcases ‑ a phenomenon not seen here for thirteen years. So we're clearly on the move.

 

And 1 would like to say 'thank you.' Most recently for the lovely final service we had on the 18th ‑ 90 communicants I Do keep it up!! And you all sang my favourite hymns beautifully. Then we had a party, which was in no way a wake. It was a delightful evening, with many thanks to all the people who worked so hard to make it special. Lofthouse 'dos' are always very tasty.

 

Thank you then for the exceptionally generous gifts which I received, from the church and separately from the Mothers' Union ‑ and flowers, and plants, a photo album and books ‑ and the mementoes which the Sunday Club gave me in the morning service. I really can't say how very much they are all appreciated. The cheques I was given will provide for the final part of my five year plan for my little terrace (a plan which stretched to nine years).

 

Those who have been to Alnwick will know that the back yard is covered in badly cracked and patched tarmac, with a wonderful display of weeds appearing every spring and summer. When the house wanted re‑roofing, a new central heating boiler and replacement doors and windows, the needs of the yard were well down the list of priorities. The house is now fine and with a thousand pounds (!) in the bank I can turn to having new flagstones, flower beds, tubs of plants ‑ and whenever I sit out there reading and drinking a cup of coffee I will remember the people who made it possible. It's a lovely way to remember you all. I might even have a single white Yorkshire rose among the red Lancastrian ones.

 

I would like then to say thank you to a few particular people who have made working in Lofthouse such a joy. The church wardens, Eric Hampshire, Melvyn Plenderleith, Lewis Scorah, and now Simon Smalley; our lay reader, Antony Kirby; our organist, choir director, and Holiday Play scheme leader, Pat Plenderleith; our MU leaders, Sylvia Green, Margaret Scott and Marion Scorah (also food and flower arrangers); our fantastically efficient and helpful PCC secretaries, Betty Hampshire and Mary Liversedge. What a marvellous group of people to work with been great, thank you.

 

And the whole congregation, of loving, kind, thoughtful people. Thank you all for your friendship, your kindness (which was particularly valued when I was ill) the Christian faith we have shared. How glad I am God led me to Lofthouse.

 

I will keep in touch. There may be an occasional letter from the Far North for the magazine, and I think I'll take up real letter writing, with paper, fountain pen and stamps. Texting is not for me. Keep in touch with me ‑ and if you are going to be in Northumberland, make contact and come for a coffee or lunch.

 

Now its time to say 'Good‑bye'. 'Can't put it off any longer. Au revoir and 'Auf Wiedersehen' have a much less final feel to them ‑ until we see each other again. But the English would still be my choice. 'God be with ye'. Not so much a farewell greeting as a wish for your future and mine. Whether we meet again or not, speak on the phone, send mysterious text messages ‑ the truly important thing is that we should know that God is with each one of us, caring for us, guiding us, correcting and forgiving us, and always, always loving And one day, we will ‑all meet again, meet too those who are no longer part of our little community but whom we remember with love and gratitude, and God will be with us.

 

With love