According To Liz . . .
Dear Friends
"For all that has been Thanks, for all that will be, Yes"
These words are for me a good way to mark an ending and a new beginning, for that is what we all face as I say farewell in July.
"For all that has been, thanks".
To the many people who are part of the Church communities of Shepton Mallet, Doulting and West Cranmore. From those who sit on PCCs, to those who provide such beautiful flowers week by week, from those who teach our children to the MU, and those now sadly not able to worship with us due to infirmity. There are many individuals who have played their part in the work of these Churches over these last years, and to you all I give thanks to God for your service and your commitment.
One of the things that makes Churches special, is that all we do we do for our Lord, who has died for us, and now gives us the strength and grace to use the gifts He has given to us. For we are here to grow into the people God would have us be. Not the people we would like to be, or the people we think we should be, but we are to allow Christ to grow in us, and to use the good and the difficult parts of our lives for good. For we are to say Thanks too for the difficulties, the places of tension and negativity in our lives. For our Lord wants us to bring these to Him also, as we trust that He will work even in these places for good.
For all that will be, Yes. That great affirmation means that we will say Yes to the Lord who leads us in His ways, and not ours. Yes to the unexpected, the places of joy and sadness. We are saying Yes to all that god has for us, as individuals and as Church communities.
As I say farewell to you all, I am sad, for I shall miss being part of these good places, and part of all your lives. Thank you for all you have given me, and may God go before us all into the futures He has for us.
With much love