Vicar's View

Farewell

To be honest, I don’t like saying goodbye. I have left more than one parish behind in my time as a Priest. My final service as Vicar of Luddenden at St Mary’s is on Advent Sunday, 30th November at 10 am. So another place of ministry comes to an end for me after nearly 11½ years. More than that, of course, this time I’m not leaving to take on responsibility for another church. I am retiring and getting my bus pass. In time, I will continue in ministry and help out somewhere in Wakefield, and “retired priests” are always in demand to cover and support ministry. We will miss the moors and valley. We will miss the views. We will miss the people. Anne and I are looking forward to a new phase in our lives but, at the same time, we are sad to be leaving and that our time living and serving here is ending. 

Ironically, Advent Sunday is the beginning of the Church Year. “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” These words from Winston Churchill were delivered after British and Allied victories in North Africa in 1942. He said it to signal that while the tide was turning in World War II, the war was far from over. The phrase acknowledged a significant victory but also served to temper expectations and emphasize the long struggle still ahead. There is something in this that connects to the Season of Advent which has hope for future justice, the final defeat of all forces of evil at its core. We often miss this as Christmas rushes in, but although the Saviour comes and the Victory is won, the struggle for the Lord’s army of light overcoming the present darkness continues. Hope is something that all individuals, communities and nations need. Our faith is in the God of hope and new beginnings. So keep on living, loving and learning and sharing that message.

November is the month of so much remembering and giving thanks. Those we love but see no longer are commemorated on All Souls’ day. Those who gave their lives in the defence of freedom and the defeat of tyranny are not forgotten, but honoured as we gather on Remembrance Sunday every year. 

We have more Baptisms by full immersion and a Confirmation service to look forward to, with candidates across a range of ages. People are hungry for God. There is a sense of joy and hope in our church life. Life in Luddenden is never Ludden-dull! We have been reflecting as a church on our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. There is an opportunity for everyone to engage in that reflection by adding your thoughts to the display boards at the back of church. We will never be the “perfect Church” and I have never been the “perfect Vicar” but as Leonard Cohen sang "There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in," Our imperfections are what allow for grace, growth, and insight. 



As my ministry here ends, this church begins a new phase in its long life and the work of God continues! My hope and prayer is that whoever it is who is called to be the “New” Vicar is better than the last one! The day will come for me to say a proper goodbye but for now I finish with “God be with you”, in the form of my favourite Irish Blessing: 

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And the rain fall soft upon your fields

Until we meet again

May God hold you

In the hollow of his hand. 

Ian