Dear Friends,
I have been back with you for ten days now and a lot has happened. I was delighted to be welcomed back by the cherry trees along our Oxford Terrace frontage, which chose the last Saturday of August to burst into flower. Now the city is blooming everywhere with daffodils and blossoms and the leaf buds are about to open as the mornings become lighter and brighter.
A big crowd of us gathered last Wednesday to baptise eighteen young people from S. Michael’s School. We pray and hope that their time at S. Michael’s School will be one in which their growth into that baptism will be inspired and supported. I have been re-making contacts with parishioners who are sick and in hospital or housebound, and am grateful for so many others of you who help look after them.
I have attended two funerals, supporting people close to the departed. Loss and sadness are never far away from us, and a community of faith can be a great comfort.
As I write, the Diocesan Synod has not yet begun, but as you read, it will be well finished. It is to begin with the Synod service in the Cathedral on Friday evening, with the business taking the whole of Saturday. This is the shortest time we have ever set aside for the annual Synod, but it is our Bishop’s wish that we do things more efficiently. We shall report on the proceedings in due course.
A week ago I attended the AGM of the City Mission. The calls on all its services have increased greatly during this time of recession and so our gifts continue to be much appreciated.
Please help us put our best foot forward for the ‘Back to Church Sunday’ next week. Remember to use the special invitation cards -- who can you invite and bring?
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
