21st March 2023
Dear Everyone,
We’ve had our final Sunday and the packers are here! Tomorrow it will be goodbye Beverley and hello Bar Hill.
We had an incredible day on Sunday, especially the final Evensong when the WHOLE choir came together to sing all of Tom’s favourite pieces of music. We’d already had a lovely lunch with lots of presents and speeches.
So, the end of our Yorkshire chapter….and we’re excited about the beginning of the Bar Hill adventure.
I’ve been following the wonderful welcome given to the Bar Hill Hotel residents and I’m looking forward to hearing how Sunday’s service went with the Farsi translation!
Anyway, I have to go back and fill some more boxes . . .
With love and best wishes- see you soon!
Wendy and Tom
(Jonah is with my parents while we pack/move)
20th February 2023
Dear Bar Hill Church,
It’s now only a month before we leave Beverley and then another month before my licensing. So, I thought I’d drop you a line to say how much we are looking forward to becoming part of the community and journeying with you all.
Today is my Birthday and Jonah enjoyed helping me to open some gifts this morning.
It’s a bittersweet day today as sadly one of our congregation had a massive stroke on Friday and her life-support was switched off this morning. I was deep cleaning the church kitchen with her this time last week- so a complete shock. A tragic reminder to live each day to the full and to appreciate those you love all the time.
I’ve begun the ‘last services’ at some of the daughter churches (we have 4)- last week I said farewell to the congregation in Tickton and to my pioneer colleagues up in Wydale (North Yorkshire). This link (for those who are interested) should take you to my penultimate interview with Beverley FM…my final one is on Ash Wednesday.
We are grateful that the removal company are going to do our packing for us- which means our life isn’t full of boxes yet, although we have begun the sorting/ selling/ charity shop/tip trips…it’s all feeling very real.
Anyway, know that we are praying for all that lies ahead and look forward to seeing you all on April 20th.
With love and blessings
Wendy, Tom and Jonah
A Lenten passage that challenges me deeply:
Isaiah 58:6-7: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”