Minister’s Letter – July 2024
Dear Friends,
As most of you know this is my last letter to you all, as I retire at the end of July, which is a big change in my life!
I am moving to Derby, and I have rented a flat there for at least a year. After that, I am not too sure of the future. We await and see what plans the Lord has for me and what the next chapter of my life will be!
My last service at my church will be on Sunday 28th July where I have invited all my 3 churches to my final service to share worship and communion. Also, I hope to see some of you at afternoon tea at South Aston on Saturday 20th July.
This month I am also having various good-bye lunches with friends that I have made during my ministry here in Aston and beyond. As a friend of mine said, you are eating a lot in July, and he was right!
A month ago, I met with my moderator, and he asked me to reflect on my years of ministry. He asked me to think about the highs and lows of my ministry (because no ministry is completely plain sailing). I did think about what I was asked. It wasn’t an easy task because where do you start after 16 years of ministry?
I began ministry in 2008, after 4 very happy years at Westminster Theological College in Cambridge. I started my ministry working at Bloomsbury Christian Mission Project in Nechells as well as South Aston. I later left Nechells and was offered Wilton Road. I began ministry there in 2011, followed by Bishop Latimer Church in Winson Green, in partnership with the Anglicans.
I have enjoyed being involved in the different churches; all have their own character and style, and all have presented different challenges over the years.
I have genuinely enjoyed my time here with you all serving my 3 churches. I have met some lovely people, and I want to thank all my Elders at all my churches for supporting me throughout my ministry, not only when things have been successful but, may be more importantly, when things have gone wrong. Thank you for your patience!
During my time in my churches, there have been many highlights, as well as regularly officiating at communion and being able to preach every Sunday, which for me has been a joy and a privilege. The above mentioned "tasks" could be considered "bread and butter" for a minister, part of their work, but for me they have been a privilege to serve the church and my community in this way.
Over the years, I have been particularly impressed with how flexible and willing to work together on different projects the churches have been, and I am particularly thinking of the Winter Night Shelter which South Aston hosted. We did this project a number of years ago, and for me this was a real team effort involving all my churches and I am proud to have been involved in this project, amongst other initiatives that I have been involved in over the years.
It has also been a real privilege to share in my members’ lives from weddings to funerals, which although again this is part of a minister’s role, it has been an honour to be involved in peoples’ lives when they are at their most vulnerable, especially when officiating at funerals, although sad to say, I have had more funerals than weddings!
It really has been an honour to have walked alongside people in their hour of need and to have gained their trust.
I have been privileged to have been involved in lunch clubs, community events and more recently been part of the Pantry that provides food for those in need and not forgetting the more recent Wednesday Welcome group that I am involved in.
I have also learnt about different ways of worship, as all of my churches worship in slightly different styles, and I want to thank all my churches for introducing me to different forms of praise.
All are committed to serving our Lord in their own communities. I have learnt about different cultures especially the Afro-Caribbean culture, and particularly how they honour those who have passed, which I have a lot of respect for.
I could go on listing all the things I have learnt over 16 years of ministry in Aston, Handsworth and Winson Green but space will not allow it. I just want to say thank you for letting me be your minister for 16 years and letting me be part of your lives and welcoming me into the churches family as your minister.
Like any family we have fallen in and out "of love" with each other and yes, there has over the years been conflict, and we have not always agreed in which direction the churches should go. But despite all the highs and lows of church life, I like to think that as Christians we have worked through it and by God’s grace and love we have come together to worship and give our thanks to God for all that he has done for us and our communities.
I particularly want to thank all my churches for your overwhelming love and support when my wife, Anne, died. I was genuinely moved by everyone’s love, support, and prayer and more recently I want to thank all the churches for how welcome they have made my partner Elaine feel when, on a number of occasions, she has worshipped with us.
It is said that a minister doesn’t stop being a minister on retirement, you just become a "non-active minister". New ministers to retirement are told not to volunteer for anything for at least a year and that is what I intend to do. I will find myself a church that suits me and I am looking forward to being a member of a congregation devoid of responsibilities.
People have asked how am I going to fill my time in retirement. I aim to pursue my interests in art/theatre/music. I already have some musical adventures planned, a number of visits to the proms concerts, amongst other cultural adventures!
I would at some point like to study possibly English literature or some form of theatre studies, possibly with the Open University. I also want to travel.
As part of my preparation for retirement, I am currently reading a book called ‘Making the Most of Retirement’ especially written for ministers. It is written by a retired Baptist Minister Revd. Paul Beasley-Murray whose prayers I have used in worship. One of the things he says in his book is "take the time to find a spiritual home, take time to settle down, and explore new avenues of worship". This I propose to do.
Also, while reflecting on retirement, I researched what the bible says about retirement and I came across the words from the Book of Numbers which says "the Lord said to Moses, from the age of 25 each Levite shall perform his duties in the tent of my presence, and at the age of 50 he shall retire". I am well passed 50, and I like to think that with God’s grace I have performed my duties to the best of my abilities, in the tent and tabernacles of the Lord!
As those of you who have heard my sermons, I like to include a joke or two and so in this, my last letter, that is just what I am going to do:
“An old vicar on retiring sells his horse. Bob decides to buy it. Before Bob can take the horse, the vicar says there are only two commands this horse understands. First, he only moves when you say Jesus Christ, and to make him stop, the word is Amen!
Bob takes the horse and gallops away. Whilst riding the horse, a thunderstorm makes the horse panic and the horse bolts. Bob cannot remember the vicar’s instructions and just as the horse is teetering on the edge of a very dangerous cliff edge, Bob says "Jesus Christ!!"
It made me laugh!
Finally, if I have any energy left after all my cultural pursuits, I may write a book based on my ministry called "Things they never taught me at Theological College".
Finally, a big thank you to you all. May God go with you all, especially as you welcome and prepare to work with your new ministers as they begin a new chapter in their lives!
Thank you all for making me so welcome during my ministry. It has been really appreciated.
Yours in Christ
Peter
Dear Friends,
As most of you know this is my last letter to you all, as I retire at the end of July, which is a big change in my life!
I am moving to Derby, and I have rented a flat there for at least a year. After that, I am not too sure of the future. We await and see what plans the Lord has for me and what the next chapter of my life will be!
My last service at my church will be on Sunday 28th July where I have invited all my 3 churches to my final service to share worship and communion. Also, I hope to see some of you at afternoon tea at South Aston on Saturday 20th July.
This month I am also having various good-bye lunches with friends that I have made during my ministry here in Aston and beyond. As a friend of mine said, you are eating a lot in July, and he was right!
A month ago, I met with my moderator, and he asked me to reflect on my years of ministry. He asked me to think about the highs and lows of my ministry (because no ministry is completely plain sailing). I did think about what I was asked. It wasn’t an easy task because where do you start after 16 years of ministry?
I began ministry in 2008, after 4 very happy years at Westminster Theological College in Cambridge. I started my ministry working at Bloomsbury Christian Mission Project in Nechells as well as South Aston. I later left Nechells and was offered Wilton Road. I began ministry there in 2011, followed by Bishop Latimer Church in Winson Green, in partnership with the Anglicans.
I have enjoyed being involved in the different churches; all have their own character and style, and all have presented different challenges over the years.
I have genuinely enjoyed my time here with you all serving my 3 churches. I have met some lovely people, and I want to thank all my Elders at all my churches for supporting me throughout my ministry, not only when things have been successful but, may be more importantly, when things have gone wrong. Thank you for your patience!
During my time in my churches, there have been many highlights, as well as regularly officiating at communion and being able to preach every Sunday, which for me has been a joy and a privilege. The above mentioned "tasks" could be considered "bread and butter" for a minister, part of their work, but for me they have been a privilege to serve the church and my community in this way.
Over the years, I have been particularly impressed with how flexible and willing to work together on different projects the churches have been, and I am particularly thinking of the Winter Night Shelter which South Aston hosted. We did this project a number of years ago, and for me this was a real team effort involving all my churches and I am proud to have been involved in this project, amongst other initiatives that I have been involved in over the years.
It has also been a real privilege to share in my members’ lives from weddings to funerals, which although again this is part of a minister’s role, it has been an honour to be involved in peoples’ lives when they are at their most vulnerable, especially when officiating at funerals, although sad to say, I have had more funerals than weddings!
It really has been an honour to have walked alongside people in their hour of need and to have gained their trust.
I have been privileged to have been involved in lunch clubs, community events and more recently been part of the Pantry that provides food for those in need and not forgetting the more recent Wednesday Welcome group that I am involved in.
I have also learnt about different ways of worship, as all of my churches worship in slightly different styles, and I want to thank all my churches for introducing me to different forms of praise.
All are committed to serving our Lord in their own communities. I have learnt about different cultures especially the Afro-Caribbean culture, and particularly how they honour those who have passed, which I have a lot of respect for.
I could go on listing all the things I have learnt over 16 years of ministry in Aston, Handsworth and Winson Green but space will not allow it. I just want to say thank you for letting me be your minister for 16 years and letting me be part of your lives and welcoming me into the churches family as your minister.
Like any family we have fallen in and out "of love" with each other and yes, there has over the years been conflict, and we have not always agreed in which direction the churches should go. But despite all the highs and lows of church life, I like to think that as Christians we have worked through it and by God’s grace and love we have come together to worship and give our thanks to God for all that he has done for us and our communities.
I particularly want to thank all my churches for your overwhelming love and support when my wife, Anne, died. I was genuinely moved by everyone’s love, support, and prayer and more recently I want to thank all the churches for how welcome they have made my partner Elaine feel when, on a number of occasions, she has worshipped with us.
It is said that a minister doesn’t stop being a minister on retirement, you just become a "non-active minister". New ministers to retirement are told not to volunteer for anything for at least a year and that is what I intend to do. I will find myself a church that suits me and I am looking forward to being a member of a congregation devoid of responsibilities.
People have asked how am I going to fill my time in retirement. I aim to pursue my interests in art/theatre/music. I already have some musical adventures planned, a number of visits to the proms concerts, amongst other cultural adventures!
I would at some point like to study possibly English literature or some form of theatre studies, possibly with the Open University. I also want to travel.
As part of my preparation for retirement, I am currently reading a book called ‘Making the Most of Retirement’ especially written for ministers. It is written by a retired Baptist Minister Revd. Paul Beasley-Murray whose prayers I have used in worship. One of the things he says in his book is "take the time to find a spiritual home, take time to settle down, and explore new avenues of worship". This I propose to do.
Also, while reflecting on retirement, I researched what the bible says about retirement and I came across the words from the Book of Numbers which says "the Lord said to Moses, from the age of 25 each Levite shall perform his duties in the tent of my presence, and at the age of 50 he shall retire". I am well passed 50, and I like to think that with God’s grace I have performed my duties to the best of my abilities, in the tent and tabernacles of the Lord!
As those of you who have heard my sermons, I like to include a joke or two and so in this, my last letter, that is just what I am going to do:
“An old vicar on retiring sells his horse. Bob decides to buy it. Before Bob can take the horse, the vicar says there are only two commands this horse understands. First, he only moves when you say Jesus Christ, and to make him stop, the word is Amen!
Bob takes the horse and gallops away. Whilst riding the horse, a thunderstorm makes the horse panic and the horse bolts. Bob cannot remember the vicar’s instructions and just as the horse is teetering on the edge of a very dangerous cliff edge, Bob says "Jesus Christ!!"
It made me laugh!
Finally, if I have any energy left after all my cultural pursuits, I may write a book based on my ministry called "Things they never taught me at Theological College".
Finally, a big thank you to you all. May God go with you all, especially as you welcome and prepare to work with your new ministers as they begin a new chapter in their lives!
Thank you all for making me so welcome during my ministry. It has been really appreciated.
Yours in Christ
Peter