Vicar's Letter

This month's letter is written by Tony Kilshaw, Churchwarden.

A Churchwarden's Reflection

As Father Michael surveyed the congregation at the start of his last service with us on the 8th September, he simply said “wow”. I knew that, in looking at the church packed with so many people, this emotional statement of his was not that it was meant for him, but more that he was delighting in the vision of seeing so many Christian worshippers coming together in God’s temple. As I commented in my homage to him at the end of the service, this huge, gathered throng (and it was the most I have seen at any one time in our church) was testament to the man himself. Love, Care and Compassion come very naturally to this wonderful human being and therefore it is not by accident that our congregation has almost doubled in his time with us. It’s down to him. He has given us the tools to propagate the gospel both in church and beyond. Very much in the same way that Jesus had crowds of people follow him wherever he went on his journey of ministry, the same can be said of Michael. Wherever he was, did we not want to be too? We do of course live in different times but to me the comparison is exactly the same. His sermons have always had love as the central message, and it is so noticeable how this has permeated through the congregation. For me the exchange of the peace says it all. The Bible tells us to prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ. I believe that in the past 5 years we have been witness to something so close to it that at times I have asked God to show us a sign that maybe we have had Jesus among us. And I feel we have. 

Father Michael has been through a lot in his personal life, far more than perhaps a lot of us know but he always greeted us with a smile and a happy “Morning” and of course a hug and a kiss if appropriate. Then not forgetting his rather cheeky sense of humour. But at the core of it all was a love for his people that radiated throughout his ministry. We have all heard people say at one time or another “ heaven on earth” when they are talking about a place, they have visited that might have taken their breath away. Transpose that into the man that has walked with us on the latest part of our Christian witness, and you might get what I mean. He is also one of the humblest of men. His entire time with us was not about him , it was all about us and how we can become better people living and loving in Christ’s name. A true teacher of the faith. 

Then of course there is Neil, Michael’s rock and soulmate. How wonderful that they announced they had married during the service. I didn’t expect to witness that before Michael’s retirement, but I get the feeling they both wanted us to be part of the celebration. Neil took on the role of choirmaster during his time with us and we now have a choir to listen to and enjoy on Sunday mornings again. 

Now they can retire to their beautiful Scottish island and enjoy their time together as a newly married couple. So, thank you both for an extraordinary time we have had with you and for leaving an amazing legacy. 

As a PCC we now have a very important role to fulfil, difficult and challenging but we know God will be there by our side all the way as we embark upon choosing Michael’s replacement. And you, the congregation, our church family, will be a part of that process. 

May God bless us all.

Tony Kilshaw