A Huge Thank You!

Colin and Elisa would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all your kindness to us. We have been showered with good wishes, kind words, cards, gifts of all sorts, delicious meals, hugs, kisses and prayers – not to mention that amazing party last week! What a wonderful send-off it was. You are making it very difficult for us to leave you! We are going to miss you all so much.

It's so hard to believe that this will be our last Sunday with you. I hope as many of you as possible will be able to get along to the farewell service on Sunday evening – but don't worry if you can't. I appreciate it's half term and Bank Holiday week: the eleven years we've spent together counts for far more than the final fling.

Those eleven years have seen some huge achievements, many new members and lots of changes – it hasn't all been easy. But the more I look at the achievements, the less I can take credit for them. Through the grace of God was you who had the generosity to pay off our huge debts when I first arrived, you who had the hospitality to welcome our Asian congregation, you who patiently completed the St Matthew's Centre project and got it flourishing, your vision and energy that have set up Messy Church and brought about real growth, your awe in God's presence that touches me every time I come to worship at St Matthew's.

You are an awesome church! Keep it up, brothers and sisters! The vicar may be leaving but the Lord isn't and He has great plans for you. Just you wait and see!