Gilling: St Agatha

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Homedale,

After ten and a half years of serving, first as Priest in Charge and then as The First Rector of The New Benefice of Homedale, the time has come for me to move on to a new chapter of my life.

Writing this letter is bittersweet. There were some parts of my ministry which were difficult, and there have been other parts of my ministry that have brought great joy. A decade is a significant portion of life, and ten-years marks a significant era in the history of the benefice.

The memories we have forged together have become a permanent part of my own story and also a part of yours.

Reflecting on these past ten years, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of being a part of this community of faith, and walking together with you who have served as members of the congregation for many years. In the end I am passing through, but for many this is your home and the churches have been a centre of your lives. Together we have celebrated baptisms and marriages. We have stood together in the quiet of the sanctuary, and supported one another through seasons of grief and loss.

Together, we have worked to enable the churches of the benefice to be a beacon of faith and hope, through Jesus, who is at the centre of all we do.

In reality any ministry of faith is about our relationship with God, not about the upkeep of church buildings. Having said that, I am pleased that all our churches remain open, in use, and loved by the community.

I want to express my deepest thanks to all the volunteers, Churchwardens, Secretaries, Treasurers, PCC Members, Organist’s and for every member of our congregations. Your faith has often sustained mine, and your commitment to this Benefice has been an inspiration. I take this opportunity to thank each and all.

While my physical presence in Homedale is coming to an end on Easter Sunday 2026. My prayers for you will not come to an end. I ask that you keep me and my family in your prayers as I enter the next chapter of my life. I am confident that the foundation we have built together, over the last decade, will provide a strong base for you and your next priest to continue God’s work together.

All correspondence and communication should now be addressed, initially through the Parish Administrator, Katy Hollins. The new Email address to be used is HolmedaleBenefice.A@outlook.com Tel number to be used is 07511 112 628

The Old Email address rectorholmedale@outlook.com is now out of use for church communication so please use HolmedaleBenefice.A@outlook.com

If you are not sure where the services are to take place, please look on a church near you web site and all services will be advertised there.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may the peace of Christ remain with you always. Amen.

Yours faithfully Rev’ A. P. Kirby.

Rev’ Antony Philip Kirby. BA. Retiring, Priest and Rector of Homedale.

Gilling: St Agatha

Rev Antony - Letter of thanks to Parishioners and Friends of Homedale