It’s a somewhat bitter sweet column to write this month because as of September my family and I will be leaving Yaxley.
We’re heading to the town of Portishead, near Bristol, where I’ll be taking up a new role as Vicar of the church there. We are excited for this new stage of our journey, but are equally sad to be moving away as we’ve loved our time here and have made some great friends along the way.
In Portishead, I’m going to be part of a team, but will have a particular focus on working beyond the walls of the church and getting stuck into the life of the town. One the great joys of my time in Yaxley has been becoming a part of the village, getting to know so many wonderful people and seeing how the church can play a positive role in the life of the community. I’ve learned so much here that I’ll be taking into this new setting.
I’ll be leaving Yaxley with loads of great memories. These include being slightly embarrassed as I won at bingo during a visit to the Welcome Club; being even more embarrassed when I forgot the words halfway through saying the Lord’s Prayer; and of course the Beer and Carols event at the Three Horseshoes last Christmas – even if I was left with a Guinness induced headache the following day! By the way, if anyone is concerned, don’t worry as I am assured that it will go ahead again this year.
I’d like to express my thanks to all who have made us feel so welcome here. We will really miss Yaxley, but it will stay firmly in our hearts and prayers.
On another note, I’d also like to remind you that we are now taking bookings for our annual Holiday Club which is open to primary school-aged children. This runs in the mornings from 9.45am to 12.30pm in the last week of the school holidays from Tuesday August 29th to Friday September 1st 2017. There will be games, crafts, “stage-time” and much more around the theme of Christian Values. Further details and a registration form are available here. I’m gutted to miss it as I know how much fun it has been in previous years!
As always, please remember you are all welcome at any of our services at St. Peter’s – details are here or give me a call.
With my prayers.
Mark Fuller (Pioneer Minister) 07766 310509; markfuller@saintpeters.co.uk
Read this article in the Yaxley Gazette.