Letter from the Manse

I’ve just waved goodbye to one of my oldest friends. Martin Bussey arrived at the manse this afternoon with his wife Claudia and his two youngest boys. They were heading from Leicester up to the Lake District for a week’s holiday and stopped here for what turned into a very long lunch. So we’ve spent the afternoon looking at photos and reminiscing about old times.

I first met Martin back in 1978 when I was a second-year student away at college. Martin arrived at college a year after me. …

Many thanks to all who have helped us cope with the demands of the last few weeks. I’m especially grateful for the men who stood in to take meetings while I was on ‘paternity leave’. But so many folk have shown us kindness in other ways. Thank you to those who offered to look after Jesse and John at different times, those who brought round meals for us, those who phoned, visited, e-mailed us. And thank you for all the cards, flowers, gifts that you’ve showered on the …

A few days ago we had some new carpet laid in our hallway. The two carpet-fitters had been told that I’m a “vicar” and it wasn’t long before the subject came up. One of them – we’ll call him Tom – was eager to let me know that he’s a Christian too. He comes from a “very religious family”. His language was colourful; his ignorance of the Bible profound. But he assured me that he was on my side, all the way (though I think he …

We’ve had a Sunday-school ever since we began. Right at the beginning, it was organised just for the children of the church. But for many years, we’ve made it our goal to draw in children from unchurched families. And until recently, we have always had such youngsters coming in. The numbers have gone up and down. Sometimes we’ve had a regular fifteen or so. Sometimes it’s been down to two or three. But in the last few months, we’ve not had any unchurched children coming in regularly.

2005 is at an end. For all of us this is a time for looking back. What have we learned over the past year? What work have we done for Christ? What mistakes have we made? What sins have shadowed our walk with God? What blessings am I most grateful for?

As part of my review of the year, I try to list out things I’ve prayed for over the past twelve months. In many cases I find I can say happily, ‘Yes, that prayer’s been answered. I was given what I …