30/07/2025
Many of you know that after 13 years in Washington, our vicar, Nick, is moving on to a new role, starting 4th September.
He is becoming the Rector of St Pancras Church Chichester.
This Sunday, 3rd August is his last Sunday service with us and we are having only 1 special service at 11am, followed by a lunch for those who wish to stay.
While he may be kicking around for another week or so until moving on 13th, this will be the last formal time he is with us.
Nick says, "The Lord has done amazing things amongst us in the past few years for which we are truly in awe of Him and thankful. 9 years ago, we set out with a vision to become much more community focussed and as a part of that we set out to build a community annexe. I always believed it was from God and by His grace alone it has come to be. Looking back over the vision document from 2015, much has been achieved and it may well be time to once again look to where the Lord is calling us next as a church.
5 years ago we headed into lockdown and I remember, at the time, I said that it feels like the Lord has placed me here to bring us through it. And while there were dark days, we came out of that stronger, more united and more community focussed than ever. God gave me the grace and wisdom to lead us through that. We then took a 3 months sabbatical and part of that was reflecting on where the Lord wanted us as a family. When we received all the funding for the annexe, it was clear that we were to bring that to fruition, but during the build I received a sense from the lord as to whether I would be the right person to deliver on the huge opportunities it would bring. I spoke with Bishop Paul about this before he retired.
I have to say, I am loving what the café and annexe is already achieving. I am loving coming in and chatting with people, new and old, about faith, life, church, God and occasionally the weather. I am enjoying ministry more now than any time since COVID, which made it so hard to know what the Lord is calling us to now. Recently, a whole host of things have happened in our family, the wider family and locally, which have made life and ministry very difficult at times and made me question again whether I am the right person to lead us forward.
A few months ago, one Bishop whom I respect asked me to look at a new role and out of respect I did so. When I looked at the detail, I was really surprised to find it fitted perfectly with my gifts and having talked it through with Lucy and a wise brother in Christ, I prayerfully went to interview. Much to my genuine surprise I was conditionally offered the post and as a family we have had to make the hardest decision of my life ever.
I know this news will be heart-breaking for some of you, and we too are heartbroken. I feel like Paul when he writes about his longing to be with a church and being torn away, but there are good reasons why it is time to move, not least we need to be nearer to our families, especially Lucy’s, whose mum's life is coming to its end. My mum is likewise moving further south.
It also feels like the Lord has closed a number of doors here recently or brought certain ministries to completion and humanly speaking, with the children the ages they are, we would have to make a commitment to stay another 5 years which I don’t think we could. It is also true that this past 18 months have taken their toll on me and my mental health. I genuinely feel that a new person with new missional energy and vision will help develop the legacy we will be leaving to the parish and local community.
It has been a blessing to serve you all here and we leave knowing the Lord has graciously achieved miracles through us, not least in the completion of a fantastic new community facility.
Our prayers will continue for you long after we go, but for now we ‘press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called (us) heavenwards in Christ Jesus.’
Do join us on Sunday at 11am if you wish"
