It is hard to believe, but this "Pause for Thought" is the last one Barry will write for the magazine. On July 11th he celebrates Holy Communion with us for the last time, before he and Janet move to their new home and the next stage in their life together. So here it is, the aptly titled -

Here's to the Future...

As I sit and write this final pause for thought I cannot believe how time has flown, it only seems like May 6^th 2003 when Bishop David licensed me to the Parish. One thing he said to me was ‘to try and leave the parish better off than when I first came’. Well I hope that is the situation that through mine and Janet’s ministry we find ourselves in a better place. We have changed some things and we have tried to bring our thoughts and hopes to others. It is always difficult when you are new in a place and you hope that you will make an impact for the right reasons.

I am reminded in that wonderful hymn – ‘Lord for the years’ of the line ‘your love has kept and guided, urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way’. Without that inspiration nothing would have been possible. It is through Him that we have been inspired to journey with you in the hope that we leave you in good shape for the future.

There have been some tremendous highlights – the worship, introducing some new things and trying to influence others, not all working out how you would wish. But let’s be brutally honest some you win but others you will lose. The culmination of the 40^th Celebrations have been magnificent and in a selfish way I am glad that through ill health the Bishop was not able to be with us, because it made that night our night and a very special one too, one that will live in our memories for a long time. I still don’t know where the inspiration came from for the sermon, but it did, thanks to God working with us. The highlights have been enhanced with meeting some wonderful people that Janet and I hope and pray will continue to be part of our lives as we move to No 5 in our retirement. The social functions have been great – the Burns Night, Old time Music Hall, Murder Mystery Evenings – just to mention but a few. Both these aspects of our ministry along with the other duties have enabled us to make so many good friends here in Woolston, too many to mention, but they know who they are. If fact we regard you all as our friends and long may your friendships continue?

With the highs there has been some lows, mainly centred around losing some goods friends, like Bob Milkins, Rose Johnson, Wendy McGee, Joan Bridge, Bob Andrews, Richard Penlington and many others besides. One moment that always stands out for me was with Joan Bridge in the Cardiac unit at the General, during her last days, she sent for me. I was having my supper and I duly stopped and went with all haste. When I got there she said ‘sit down, I want to put all things in place and I know I can trust you, and then I want communion’. Well what can one say, not ‘a lot’, you just get on and do it. Most of those I have mentioned have had an impact on our church and together they have put many a thing in place for the future and we should give thanks for their contributions.

I give thanks to God for the Ascension it is a wonderful place to be part of and I pray that you will go from strength to strength and I pray that you will continue to work with the community in making sure that God is out there and known in the lives and actions of the people. Over these 7+ years I have had great pleasure in working with Tom, Stuart, Joan, Sheila and Julie as wardens and I pray that you will support them in the months ahead as they try to keep things on an even keel. My thanks also go to Marjorie for making sure that I am sent out at each service in the right gear and to the musicians like Roy and latterly David and Wyn for ensuring we have to something to sing to.

Janet and I have enjoyed our time here immensely and pray that God’s work will continue in this place. It is a time of exploration for all of us as Janet and I move to Derbyshire in search of a new church and challenge in retirement and for you the good folk of the Ascension as you look to the future in a time without a Priest. It is in His hands as we are reminded of in that great hymn – ‘Father I place into your hands’. May he continue to guide us, keep us and shepherd us to do things that he will have us do according to His will. Many thanks for allowing us to share with you in this wonderful task. My final thanks go to Janet as I could not have done this without her help.