The Strength of Love

One week ago, we were jolted into a new reality as Fr. Martin announced what must have been the most exciting challenge in his life: that he is to be the new Dean of the Cathedral in South Bend, Indiana. How hard, therefore, it must have been for him in the certain knowledge that his new venture must surely bring pain to those he loves and has cared for these last 17 years.

The shock has started to mutate within our congregation; to sadness and grief, from denial to anger and loss. But the reality is that we should be proud of our Vicar, soon to be The Very Reverend Martin! We have loved and encouraged and supported him in his shepherding of this little flock and now, with pride we must let him go to Indiana, safe in the knowledge that he has done his job and done it well. Fr. Martin has raised us up to be strong and capable, even if we don't feel it at all times.

Think back to when Martin and Eve and the children went off to England and we thought we could never make St. Philip’s function without him. We did, however, and we did it well; and what's more we learned what a good feeling it is to take the burden off any one person. This is, after all, our church.

We don't know the extent of what we are fully able to do, if we are not given the opportunity to do it. We are a family like any other, with children and seniors, strong and weak and fallible. This is the time that we shall look to each other and together we are able to grow in our strength and faith. When we stumble, there will another church member who will raise us up, and when I cry, I know there is someone in the church who feels as I do and will dry my tears. That is what families do.

Individually, we cannot do very much but together we have the strength that comes from God; the strength that comes from love, the power that comes from talking to each other; the success that will come from working together. The Bishop’s Committee will turn to you, the Congregation of St. Philip's, for help. We shall keep you in touch and informed of each and every step we take. We shall be there if you need advice and information regarding this period of change and with the strength of God's love and His guidance, we shall achieve so much … and Fr. Martin will be proud.

                 Lucy Gowan, Bishop's Warden.

Faith, Change, and Growth
In God’s Garden

None of us would have chosen to send Martin away. Now that we are faced with that reality, we have a wonderful and challenging opportunity to rediscover who we are both individually and as a parish family. Growth doesn't come easily. For a seed to become a plant the seed coat must be broken. It's God’s miracle that allows the broken fragments to mature into a garden. For seventeen years Martin has provided wonderful leadership and direction. With grateful hearts we must applaud all he has done and then send him and his family on with enthusiasm and loving support. God made the call and Martin answered.

In the days ahead each of us is called to carefully and prayerfully discover who we have become and how we can contribute to the renewal of our mission church. It's now our job to discover God's plan and faithfully prepare for the future. As a member of the Bishops Committee, I know we are totally dedicated to making the transition ahead run as smoothly as possible and to keeping the channels of communication open and active. In my life I've learned God's call has never been to get more comfortable. It has always been, "I have faith in you, grow, deepen, step out in faith, I have great plans for you!"

                 In Love,
                 Barbara Lyon, Bishop’s Committee

Messages From Your Bishop’s Committee (and others)

Of Interregnum and Ascension

When Martin informed the Bishop’s Committee that God was calling him to leave and move to Indiana I was surprised by the mixture of feelings and thoughts I had. Around me were open expressions of sorrow, tears and shock, yet I felt that this is exciting. God is moving not only in Martin and his family’s lives but also in ours. I will miss Martin and his family but I know that this is right. Over the years I have been in several churches in England where the vicar left and there was a period without an incumbent. This is known as an interregnum. During these periods there was considerable spiritual growth in the churches. Our congregation has been taught and fed and now has to rely more on the Lord. In turn Martin, Eve and their family will also be challenged and grow. It will be a time of listening to, learning from, and loving God and each other. I am certain the Holy Spirit will guide, encourage and challenge us in many ways.

The following morning when I woke I immediately thought of the passage at the end of Luke’s gospel (24:50-53). When I was searching many years ago I read how, after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Their Lord had just left them. That was the opposite reaction from what is the normal human reaction. They should have been devastated knowing they would not see their friend again. The fact that they were joyful convinced me that something wonderful had truly happened. Now it is our turn. Let us praise God and thank Him for all he has done for us and for Martin and his family and all He will continue to do, for and through us all.

                 Francis Honey, Bishop’s Committee