Vicar's Blog

Letter from Rev’d Rosie

This is a bittersweet moment as I come to write my final letter for the Kingsland news. I wish I could say it’s always been a constant joy writing these letters over the past three years, but more often than not it’s been a struggle to work out what to say – often very much at the last moment, as is my custom! However, I’m really grateful to those who have talked to me about what I have written in these letters, which suggests that at least a few of you are reading them, and that something in them is speaking to you – which makes all the blood, sweat and tears worth it!

It has been an utter joy to spend the last three years getting to know you and ministering among you in Kingsland. Highlights for me include those chance conversations I’ve had with some many of you while I’ve been sitting in the tea rooms or walking around the village, roaring with laughter at he panto last year (sorry I missed this year’s!), and the honour of being part of so many baptisms, weddings and, especially, funerals for much-loved and valued members of this community. Not to mention the many times I have enjoyed a jacket potato with prawn mayonnaise and a rose lemonade, courtesy of Chelsea and her team!

One of my favourite passages in the Bible is from the prophecy of Isaiah, which begins: ‘do not fear, for I am with you’. These words are spoken by God, through Isaiah, to God’s people during a time of great challenge and change, but they can have meaning for us today too. A community is never a fixed thing; people come and go in one way or another over the years, but I believe that God’s presence with us is the one constant through it all, and that one of the way’s that we experience God’s presence is through the love we share and the memories we have of those who have left a mark on our lives.

I may now be moving on to my next role, but I will carry you with me and all the things I have learned from you and shared with you during my curacy. Remember that the church is always here for you – baptising and marrying and burying and praying for and with you through the ups and downs of your lives, and always inviting you to come and experience God’s presence for yourself. I have every confidence that Maggie’s ministry will, with your love and support, be every bit as joyful and life-giving for this communities as Julie’s, Katies and mine have been.

My final Sunday service in this benefice will be at 10:30am on Sunday 7 June at Kingsland Church followed by a bring-and-share lunch in the church. This will be a service with space for anyone, young or old and with any level of church experience, to take part, so do come along, whether you are a regular churchgoer or hardly ever cross the threshold! I would love to celebrate my time here with you all, and to give thanks for everything that makes the communities of this benefice so special.

Every blessing,

Rosie