My Dear Friends
Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. We have followed Him during Holy Week from His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the upper room for the Last Supper and then on to the Mount of Olive’s for His arrest. We have heard once again the trumped-up charges against Him at His trial and we have stood at the foot of the cross upon which He gave up His life for us.
And now we celebrate His triumphant and glorious resurrection, which He invites us to share in His kingdom forever; good news and cause for rejoicing ever there was one.
Tomorrow we celebrate the Easter Eucharist at 10.30 am. As this is a ticketed act of worship (due to restricted numbers in Church required to maintain Covid security) the Mass will be Live-Streamed on our Facebook page, which can be accessed by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/StAnnesOnSeaParishChurch
This joyful Service will be tinged with sadness as it will be the last occasion I lead public worship both as your Vicar and as a stipendiary minister, as you know, retirement beckons.
Please accept my sincere thanks for allowing me to be your Parish Priest for the last eleven years.
Thank you also for your loyalty to our Church and its worship.
Thank you for your support and prayers for me down the years, especially the last one which has been so strange and so gruelling for all of us.
Please accept my sincere apologies for all my mistakes, faults, failings and weaknesses. I know I am not perfect, and that my foibles have made life difficult at times, I can do no more than say sorry.
Many thanks for the cards, messages and gifts Brenda and I have received from many of you over the last week or two; they are both unexpected and very well received.
I commend to your prayers John our Churchwarden who will have a heavy load of responsibilities during the vacancy, especially until a second Churchwarden is elected; please give him as much help and support as you can. Pray also for the PCC as they engage with the process of selecting a new Vicar, and that a faithful priest can be appointed quickly.
Be assured that Saint Anne’s Church will remain in my daily prayers for as long as I am able to pray.
God bless you all.
Fr. David
Vicar (but not for very much longer).