Wel, ma na lot wedi digwydd mewn byr amser a da ni ein dau - Wyn a fi yn dechra setlo lawr yn Y Drenewydd.
I am back at Macdonalds having a cappuccino… and sending some important documents to various people. Telephone line being installed at the Rectory tomorrow… hooray!!! I will be connected to the world from the comfort of my study!
Much has happened in a week!! Wyn and I are settling to life in Newtown.
Since my last blogg I have had a busy time. Work has begun in the Parishes and in the Mission Area!
I have had my first phone call from the local undertaker and have a burial of ashes this Saturday at Llanllwchaiarn and a funeral a week Tuesday.
I've met some of my colleagues and had a most pleasant couple of hours with Michael yesterday, a retired priest who's been very busy helping and ministering during the interregnum. We will get on! I received a file with all the booked weddings for the Churches… Quite a few more than I have in Bala! I am eager now to contact the couples to discuss their weddings and to help them plan ahead. And the baptisms will keep me very busy!!!
I also met with Wendy, a dedicated Reader who is very active in the Parish. She has so much information to share and is totally dedicated to ministering in the Parish. She is and will continue to be a great asset.
I met another colleague and his wife this morning… I received a warm welcome and enjoyed my morning with them both. I will get on with them!
Yesterday it was all hands on deck at all Saint's Church preparing for this evening's service. There is great excitement and this has carried me along… and so I am ready for the service - as ready as can be. I am praying that I will manage to keep it together - that i'll not stumble over my words… and I have a lot of legal stuff to read!!! And I sincerely hope that i'll not become emotional and tearful… I know that i will have a lump in my throat when I see the Bala family! And if my brother comes… I'll have a bigger lump…!
Seeing good friends that I haven't seen for many years will be lovely but I know that it will all be emotional. Friends from my days working at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff, Ruth the Director of Loyola Hall, Close friends from here, there and everywhere, and Gordon Lloyd who has lived in Barmouth for many years - but who is originally from Newtown… and was a chorister at All Saint's Church some 70+ years ago! People who have been an integral part of my journey.
This journey has been a long one… for me and for the Parishes. It is now 6 months since the Bishop and I had the first conversation re this group of Parishes… Why the delay? Well, I was struggling to make a decision. Leaving a Parish to begin in a new is really difficult… leaving the familiar and encountering a new and unfamiliar territory! I had to know that this was the right decision for me… and for Wyn, that the position offered to me was God's will. Was the Bishop's, the Warden's and my discernment right? How do I know/ how will I know?
Having trusted in the Bishop's discernment and the discernment of the four Wardens - Chris, Shirley, Barbara and Mike… and of course trusting that god is the ultimate guide and planner of all, I do feel that this move is God's will for me at this junction in my life. I have one spurt of energy left in me for a major project and now I know where I am to exert that energy… working with the family of God in the Parishes I will be Inducted and Collated to this evening and also in the Mission Area of Cedewain.
This evening… am I looking forwards… yes and no!
When the evening will be over I am guessing that i will reflect on the evening having enjoyed it thoroughly. But i am really nervous… as I sit here thinking about the service my stomach is somersaulting!!! In an email I received this morning from Bishop Gregory he said, "I can feel your nervous energy from here [Esgobty, St Asaph]…"! Wait until this evening bishop Gregory…! I'll be ten times worse!!!
The Parishioners here are excited at many levels. this will be the first ever induction Service to take place at All Saint's Church. All the previous Inductions were held at St David's Church… which was closed 6 years or so ago. Also… I will be the first female priest to be Rector in the group of Parishes.
We've had interesting discussions about all sorts and I am becoming more familiar with everything and everyone. They are friendly and keen to help and support.
Wyn has found his Daily Post, bread and milk shops… he will soon adopt a routine. he reassures me that he is happy here… but he has warned me that he'll not become my curate all over again in Newtown… we'll see! I can't see him resisting the temptation to get involved!
Well, friends… home beckons!
Next time I blogg I will officially be the Rector of Llanllwchaiarn with Newtown and Aberhafesp and the Area Mission Leader of Cedewain… and this new adventure will have well and truly begun!
Tan toc… bydd mwy o hanes yn fuan.
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