August 2025- Clergy Letter

Moving On

‘The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12 v. 1)

I always wondered how clergy know when it is time to move on. I prayed for the grace and strength to serve faithfully, the wisdom to discern God’s call and the obedience to follow.

It has been a journey.

This verse came to me in January 2024 and was given to me later that year at the clergy conference. Rob and I asked God to show us where and when…. And we waited (as so often one does with God). Perhaps we would have to sell up and set out in faith. I thought of the Celtic monks who brought Christianity to our shores, setting off in open coracles,

at the mercy of wind and tide. Arriving, often on islands like Iona, they put down roots, built communities and started a faithful committed Christian witness wherever God had brought them by the wind of his Spirit, which they called ‘the wild goose’. Last Summer, someone gave me the poem below and I have often reread it and prayed it as we waited.

I looked in the Church Times but nothing drew me, until this Spring an Advert appeared for ‘The East of Eden Mission Community’ in rural Cumbria. I felt drawn and strangely excited, although I did not even recognise the places named.

Throughout the application and interview process I felt the strangest peace, as though my coracle was being carried along and me with it! Rob experienced this too, along with a sense of ‘homecoming’ which was hard to explain.

This does not make leaving the seven parishes of our United Benefice any easier. You have given us such love and support and many of you have seen our family grow and fly the nest! However, I am confident that the God who has called me away, is already preparing someone else to land on these shores and continue the faithful Christian witness amongst you.

Rev Becky – 20^th July 2025