October Newsletter

Letter from Rev Mark Windsor

Ecclesiastes 3 v 1 : There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

I am thrilled that the time has now come for me to embark on my new ministry here in the Cley Hill Villages Benefice with and amongst you!

On Sunday 13th September I was blessed to have a wonderful licensing service at Longbridge Deverill led by Bishop John Inge and the Archdeacon of Wiltshire Louise Ellis. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to what was a wonderful service and the joyous afternoon tea that followed. I am also grateful to all who attended in support and for the very warm welcome you have given me, including representatives from our communities. As part of the licensing service, I receive and take up symbols of this ministry in which I am called to share. There is a vessel of water representing baptism and encouraging others in following Christ; a paten and chalice for the sacrament of Holy Communion and a Bible for the study and proclamation of God’s word. It is awe-inspiring to receive each of them in turn.

At my farewell service in August in The Vale of Pewsey Team, it was a moving experience to do this in reverse – returning and laying down those same symbols to mark the ending of my ministry there. There is a /me for laying down and a /me for taking up. The Bible tells us that at the right /me Christ died for us (Romans 5 v6ti. This is what inspires me above all else in my ministry. Jesus, the Son of God, laid down his life for me and you. This is not a vain hope that died with him. Jesus promised that he would lay down his life, in order to take it up again. The love of God for us in Christ Jesus truly is stronger than death. I hope and pray that you might come to know this more deeply personally. It is the heart of the good news that I look forward to sharing throughout my time here.