Something Old - Something New

Well, what a fabulous send off from the West Suffolk Group. A sumptuous 'Bring and Share Tea', with so much food that I swear people returned home with more leftovers in their 'doggy bags' than they came with. It was a case of bringing 6 cheese scones and taking two Victoria sponges home!
Fortunately there wasn't an embarrassing photo display or party games, instead Sam gave an account of all that I had done in the three years - far more than I had realised, and I think, more than many there had realised too!
There were representatives from almost all the churches, and one of the folk whom I had visited regularly had been brought to the hall to share in the celebration tea. It was lovely to see little Helen - small in stature but a huge inspiration and blessing to me over the time in WSG.
And then there was the cheque - a most generous gift - far in excess of anything I could have considered. So fgenerous in fact, that it has enabled me to purchase the iPad I am writing this blog on.
And so, I left the WSG on the Saturday and led worship at Christchurch Needham Market on the Sunday. To be honest, I was rather nervous - but very soon be came of a spirit of welcome, of friendship, and of hope as the service was underway. Playing Gloria Gaynor's 'I am what I am' was risky but I think I got away with it!

And then a week later and  it was the Induction service - the church was full the singing was fantastic, the sermon thoughtful and inspiring, and the messages of goodwill for the future were immense.
It was good to have Mum with me, and I really appreciated her gift of the Bible & Psalter Dad had given her when she was young. It would have been so good to have had him there as well.
The rest of the family - Helen, Conor, Monica & Alan were also there along with Hilary & Trevor who are family in all but name.
The presence of good friends like Kate & Sal, Mark and Andrew helped to make it an unforgettable evening. The Curry we shared after the service just Boeing a perfect ending to a busy day.

And now the work begins - starting with listening to people - not rushing in with answers and with solutions. I've been re- reading 'Hitting the ground kneeling' by Stephen Cotterill - a book I think I should return to again before too long.

There is a sense that I am now in the right place, and although the WSG was great, it was a step along a journey which has brought me back to Needham Market. Yes, I'm still nervous- but not anxious. I wonder what plans God has for us - let's pray that we are all alert, all ready to listen and all ready to go where he leads us.