Reflections from the Curate
- Occurring
- for 31 days, 1 hour
- Venue
- Address
I’m sure you’ve all noticed that the nights are drawing in and the evenings are feeling a little chillier, even if we are enjoying a brief return to summer as I write. Time is marching on: Autumn is here and, dare I say it, Christmas will not be far behind!
For me, the past three months seem to have passed in the blink of an eye. They have brought a whirlwind of new people to meet and new things to learn, as well as a new house, a pilgrimage to Taizé and the challenge of settling into my role here in the North Lafford Benefice. There has been much to learn, work out, pray about and reflect on, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is far more to come over the next few years.
Over the past few months, I’ve slowly begun to discover what it means to be an ordained minister here in the North Lafford Benefice: leading services across some of the churches, serving alongside Reverend Al at Holy Communion, praying with you all and learning something of your lives through conversations, usually whilst having coffee and cake! It has been a real privilege and blessing, and I hope and pray that I will come to know more of you as my time here unfolds.
As I reflect on these first few months, above all I give thanks for the way each one of you has welcomed me with love. As a community of faith, you have shown me kindness, patience and forbearance as I invariably forget to turn on a microphone, call you by the wrong name or leave at least one of my possessions behind! Day by day, you are showing what it means to be a community shaped by the teachings of Jesus and by the desire to become more like him.
St Paul expressed this beautifully in his letter to the Romans: “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; … Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.” (Romans 12:9, 12–13)
May we continue to grow together in love, hope, patience, prayer and hospitality in the months ahead.
Rev Jenny Hunt, Assistant Curate, North Lafford Benefice