From the Vicarage - November 2011
|
THANK YOU Sue and I have been greatly supported and encouraged by the prayers and good wishes of so many people from All Saints. We have had some lovely cards and letters from the congregation and also from the schools in our parish. These have greatly cheered me up. I am sorry I am not able to reply to them all individually. But we really do appreciate having received them. We have also been helped in various practical ways, from providing transport, looking after the Vicarage garden while Sue has been travelling up to London, and many other ways. We have also had some lovely gifts including the beautiful flowers from the congregation. As you will know, I went into the National Hospital for Neurosurgery in May and finally came hom on October 7th. As you can imagine, it is wonderful to be home after all this time. I begin a 6 week course of radiotherapy on November 8th at University College Hospital in London. Sometime after Christmas I will be going to the London Ear Nose and Throat Hospital for surgery on my vocal chords. At present I sound rather like Donald Duck when I speak. This is because some of the cranial nerves were damaged during surgery. This has also affected my swallow, so I am currently being fed through my stomach. I am dreaming of curry and roast pork! It is likely that it will be some months before I am able to take up my ministry again, not least because of the problems with my voice.l I must express special thanks to Eddie and Colin, our churchwardens, for the many tasks they have taken on board in my absence. I am grateful too, to Ken our verger, and also to the ministry team, Jo, Paul and Avril for the extra duties they have taken on. I must make special mention of Jo our curate. As you know she is here to "serve her title", which means to learn the skills of a parish priest. It is particularly unfortunate that as her training incumbent I will have been absent for so long. However, seeing her celebrate the Eucharist, it is hard to believe that she has only been a priest for a few months. I am sure you will agree that she is doing a splendid job in difficult circumstances, and more is being asked of her than would be usual for a curate at this stage in their ministry. Please continue to give Jo your support, encouragement and prayers. May I concludel in thanking you once more for your prayers and concern for me and for the family. We do appreciate it. Stephen and Sue |
