SHARON`S ORDINATION
SUNDAY 22nd JUNE 2003
Where does the time go?
I know that it is often said that "time flies when you are having
fun" but it really does seem to be the case. I have been in the
parish for almost a year and it has gone so quickly.
One of the first events I came to before being made Deacon
was the May Fair and Art Exhibition. So it almost feels as if I
have come full circle having just experienced the May Fair
and Art Exhibition once again only this time as a member of
the parish and not as a visitor!
And what a year it has been, a year full of firsts - first baptism,
first funeral, first Christmas and first Easter as a member of
the clergy here in Shrub End, to name but a few. It has been a
year of change as well as a year of growth with many new
things to learn - from learning my way around the services,
the Parish and the area, to getting to know the locals. Who, I
might add, have proven to be a really friendly bunch.
It's been a year with many highs and luckily very few lows!
The highlights for me have included the trip to Romania in a
minibus, the classes for last years Confirmation, singing
"Rumours of Angels" with the choir at Christmas, Praise
Parties and all the services during Holy Week and Easter. The
lows, luckily, are about time management and making sure
that there is enough time for rest and relaxation written into a
busy diary. I say luckily because at least there is something I
can do about that!
It seems that just as you get used to something, it's time to
learn something new because it is time to face change yet
again. It is now just a few weeks until I am ordained Priest, the
service will be in the Church of St Nicholas, Witham on
Sunday, 22nd June at 10.30am. I am, as I'm sure you would
expect, beginning to get excited and anxious about the
ordination and because my time of firsts will begin all over
again.
My first celebration of the Eucharist will be on Tuesday, June
24th, 7.30pm at All Saints. I would like to take this opportunity
to invite you to join in this first with me. I'm sure it will be one
of those events I shall never forget and it would be wonderful
to be surrounded by friendly, familiar faces.
My first wedding will follow just a few weeks later, the happy
couple have been warned and have promised to make sure
that it is the bride and groom who get married!
I would like to thank you for all of the love and support shown
to me over my Deacon year and to ask you to remember me
in your prayers on these last weeks leading up to my
ordination and beyond.
Following the service there will be a celebration lunch at St Cedd`s starting at about
1.00pm (depending on when the coach gets back from the service). Even if you are unable
to join us at the service you will be very welcome to come along to the lunch. Then in the
evening the Boxted Silver Band will be joining us at a special evensong, starting at 6.30pm,
at All Saints.
Please pray for Sharon at this very important time and give her your support by joining us
for any of these services and the celebration lunch.