March message

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!

I write this as my final Telescope submission, after a week of many goodbyes!

In case the village jungle drums haven’t been working, I should clarify that I shall be following Chris in his move to Whitchurch, with our final Sunday here on the 11th Feb. As a curate, with still a lot to learn, this was the decision that made the most sense.

Of course, it was only about 18 months ago that I first arrived here, fresh out of theological college, faced with the task of settling into the life of five villages. I would like to thank you all for making that so easy for me – you were (and are!) all so welcoming and friendly, and I’ve been touched throughout my time here how readily people accepted me. Not only that, but how patient everyone has been while I began to learn the ropes of ministry – I hope I haven’t left any major disasters behind me! The last 18 months have taught me so much, and I have gleaned a lot of wisdom from you all. I know, as a Norfolk girl, that village life isn’t always as idyllic and effortless as people think, but our villages here really do show how well it can be done.

While my time in the benefice has been far shorter than I would have ever predicted, please do know I will be taking with me a lot of fond memories, and a lot of wisdom gained! Thank you so much for the experience of serving these villages. So as the song goes, I do hate to go and leave this pretty sight, but so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!