No longer Holy Island Vicar

It has been a blast. I hope mostly in a positive way.

In many ways it has been the best time of my ministry amongst wonderful people and in brilliant churches.

Following in the footsteps of saint of old, with the opportunity to write something new in the annals of the history of Holy Island. In the end, I did not do that, although as my wife has just pointed out, that is for others to judge.

I did infuriate some people, as has been said to me a number of occasions, 'it took me a while to get used to you...'.

I made some people laugh and cry... I encouraged others to doubt and also believe, reminding people that the two, faith and doubt are siblings.

I convinced people that things were possible and that they as people made in the image of God were able to do wonderful things... and they did... and will do so.

They have blessed me, and this afternoon I blessed my people as their vicar for the last time.

Keep safe, my friends

#holyislandvicarout #micdrop #smile

step by step

It was my last service at Ysgol y Parchedig Thomas Ellis yesterday. I confess that I had a little moment, when tears could have flowed. It is a brilliant school with an exceptional headteacher. It is closing and merging to become part of Ysgol Cybi; so that lessons the sadness that I will not be going back there to Thomas Ellis, no one will.

Life has been full of goodbyes over the last few weeks. They are about to reach a crescendo.

This picture is taken near Caerlaverock, quite close to the wildfowl and wetlands centre (http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/). Whilst is a still picture, there is much happening, the light interacting with the water, the sun and the river... There needs to be sometimes lots of activity to create a moment of peace.

Similarly, it is also true for the sadness to come, there must have been much contentment and joy.

Time to move on.