Dear Friends,

On Saturday September 30th, 2023, I was licensed as a Reader for the Liverpool Diocese.  It has been an amazing year.  I have been very fortunate in becoming a member of the North Meols Team.  I have been welcomed into St John’s, St Cuthbert’s and St Stephen’s.  I have been involved in a variety of services which has enabled me to gain experience and knowledge.

In addition to the Reader Training sessions, which I have found both informative and enjoyable, I have attended our North Meols Reader Training Evenings which has enabled me to meet with other readers and share God’s word. I was also fortunate in being able to attend the Leading Your Church into Growth conference at Swanwick. I found this extremely rewarding and on reflection gave us time to reflect on our time within our local community and ways to move forward.

We are now approaching the wonderful festival of Harvest.  A time very dear to my heart.  Being brought up on a farm, Harvest is a very special time.  This year has been a very difficult time for farmers with the inclement weather which has caused major delays in all aspects of food production.  As a Christian family, we truly valued the lyrics of those famous Harvest hymns “All is safely gathered in; Er the winter storms begin”. We substituted the words to ”Prater tops and Everything”.  It may seem strange but very relevant.  We are truly grateful for all the Harvest.

I am extremely grateful to all who have enabled me to be a lay reader and supported me over the last three years. I will endeavour to spread God’s word in all I do. I feel God has led me all the way and enabled me to conduct my work.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.“ Philippians 4:13

It is with sadness that I end my letter with the sad news concerning the atrocities and the loss of lives of the three young girls from Southport this week.

May God’s blessing rest upon you and rise within you. May your heart beat to the rhythm of His peace.