Dear Friends,
Coming into my last weekend of ministry here brings a whole range of emotions and memories. It all began with a conversation at a tea room beside the river in Barnstaple with Archdeacon Mark, who I'd known from my curacy in Oxford.
I'd come to see him because I wasn't sure what I was being called to next as my curacy ended: School or university chaplaincy, a parish in Oxford, or perhaps a move west - all were in the mix. Mark listened to all I was saying and then said "I think you might be called to rural ministry". That was a surprise. I told him that was the last thing I would consider because I couldn't drive. His response was "That's not a problem, you can just learn!". The rest, as they say, is history.
He was right that this was the place I was being called to - to be formed, by life here, into a priest with a deeper understanding of a way of life I'd not known before. He was, though, over confident about the driving!
So the dominant feeling now is one of gratitude for all we have shared in the churches of the Lyn Valley Mission Community and beyond, for colleagues in the Chapter and Deanery: for each one of you. As I have said to each PCC, it has been a privilege to be your priest.
I will send out my sermon with a last email to this list tomorrow, but with this email comes the invitation to my licensing on 20th July in Torquay. It would be wonderful to see some of you there - please could you let Sam know if you are planning to come so we can give numbers from here in due course.
I'm also including the beautiful world blessing that was created during the covid lockdown. It is my prayer for you always.
"The Lord bless you and keep you"
Samantha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d48-qbcovVY
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As many of you will know, my ministry in the Lyn Valley comes to an end on 25th June. From 22nd June the following email addresses will replace this one for each form of contact:
Lyn Valley Mission Community administration and contact: [email protected]
Dean for Women matters: [email protected]
Samantha's new parish ministry email: [email protected]