Raymond writes:
Alison and I, and our children, were deeply touched by the outpouring of love and generosity from church members last Sunday. We will remember our Farewell Lunch for many years.
Our thanks must go to Mary and her team, for organising and preparing the catering, and also to all those church members, including teenagers, who got stuck into the washing-up at the end of a long afternoon.
We have already received many beautiful gifts and cards, both from the musicians, individuals and the wider church. Theatre tokens and a passport to private fishing areas will give us great experiences to look forward to. Yesterday, Ali brought round a hugely generous cheque from the church. That will go towards a holiday and we will drink your health somewhere in the sun.
In addition to all the gifts, we were bowled over by the prolonged applause both at 9am and 11am.
The cakes were a joy, and we want to thank Jo for her imagination and creativity as she told the story of one vicar’s footsteps from the parish to the riverbank. This is not the first cake Jo has made for us. Mary then added a second cake and a free hat! Roll on the summer!
Sadly, my timing has not been good. The closed season on the River Wye started on Wednesday and the river will not reopen for fishing until June 16th. (Fortunately, lakes remain open all year round.)
People keep asking me how we feel, and we can only say that feelings are very mixed. There are so many things to look forward to and yet so many sad goodbyes to say, almost all of them on one day. We are not sure that parting is really “sweet sorrow.” Our final look around the church next week will be poignant and full of memories.
Our new address will be in Hereford (see the Parish Office for full address details). We would love to see those who have not commented on Raymond’s growing bald patch there.
Bishop Lee will also retire next month and Alison and I will be back for his farewell at Pattern Church on Sunday, April 30th.