St Mary The Virgin

Clergy letter – October 2008

From Andy Myers, Priest in Charge designate

November is the mid point of the season of change. I love autumn and the changes we see all around us, as the leaves finally depart from the trees and the earth prepares to go into its long slumber during winter time. The changes in nature seem to me to mirror, almost to be in sympathy with the changes both St Mary’s and St Cross Churches in Middleton are about to experience soon as Robin retires, and I become Priest In Charge of both parishes and James Turner becomes their associate priest .


At this time of seasonal change many of us get a little depressed as the nights draw in and the mornings are dark. Many elderly people and those on low incomes are particularly anxious this year because of worries about ever higher fuel bills as a result of the expected great increase in energy charges.
This month will see closer links being forged with our sister parish of St. Cross on the retirement of Robin. I’m sure you’ll join with me in wishing him a happy retirement and a well deserved rest. Until I’m licensed as Priest in charge of St Mary’s and James is licensed as its associate priest at the end of November we will be starting to cover the services at both churches so if you don’t see either of us regularly for a couple of weeks you’ll know the reason. It’s a wonderfully exciting project, but I know there will be worries and difficulties associated with any change like this.

We have two great teams working to make the Gospel real in Middleton - and I regard it as a privilege to be given this opportunity to lead both our churches in mission. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone at St. Cross over the past few months and look forward to getting to know the people of St Mary’s better.


If there are anxieties associated with the coming of winter, or with the worries outlined above we simply have to turn to nature and know that winter is a time of unseen growth. After winter we have the fruits of that buried growth to look forward to as we know that springtime will come again. It speaks to us of the great hope we all have as Christians- the resurrection hope that leads us all through the little death of self to the new birth of eternal life.


“Lead kindly light, amidst the encircling gloom... the night is dark and I am far from home... lead thou me on...”


Every blessing

Andy