|
All sorts of people have been kind enough to ask me how I am viewing the prospect of retirement. I could say 'with apprehension' but this would not be entirely true. It would be true to say I view it with mixed feelings, because I do not know what might be in store for me in the future. I hope there will be some exciting things around the corner. Some young lads who were mis-behaving in the churchyard recently, shouted to one another, 'it's some old boy' when I put on my sternest voice and told them to get out. I must confess I had not fully realised at that moment they were referring to me! I certainly do not see retirement as a waiting room for death, but the beginning of a new age with new opportunity. I hope that retirement after nearly 50 years of continuous employment including 34 years as a priest, will give me the chance to do some of the things I have wanted to do for years, but have never had the time to do. Perhaps it will be to do things long neglected; perhaps to take up new occupations; perhaps to being just simply, a priest, encouraging and ministering to other Christians in our pilgrimage in life and in turn being encouraged by them. I will look back on my time here and in previous parishes where I have been fortunate to minister, with a sense of loss as I will miss not having charge of a parish. Retired clergy are very useful to the Church today, especially during an interregnum, but they become completely disfranchised and have no say in the affairs of the Church. This may well be a good thing of course? Some retired clergy seek to re-assure me when they say: "I've never been so busy"! I never realised when I was appointed to St George's Waterlooville, that I would be here for so long. It is not that I never had the opportunity to move. I was offered several new parishes but, after prayer and reflection, I felt there was still much to be done here. Where have those twenty-one years gone to? I have loved my time at St George's and I have greatly enjoyed working with you to extend the Kingdom of God in the place and I pray God, that whoever comes after me will be as happy as I have been in serving the Lord here. There is still much to be done, much that has not been done, but thank you all for making my time here such a happy time in my ministry. The best hope for anyone in the Christian community is to be part of a continuum, the timeless proclamation of the Christian Faith. There should always be a desire by every Christian to be committed to do the best for the Kingdom of God and the best for the Church and then to pass on that torch of faith to those who come after. The Church Universal is going through difficult times at present, when people are indifferent to the things of God, but probably no more so than in times past. Our task is to remain faithful, to stand firm and pass on the good things we have received to those who come after us. I shall greatly miss our beautiful modern church and I have much enjoyed adding beautiful things to enhance it and make it a worthy House of God over the years. However, a beautiful church can only be a reflection of what is offered in it, that is beautiful worship by committed worshipping Christians. I will take with me some wonderful memories of that worship in my time as your priest. It was not all done by me of course, it was worship performed by us all. It is impossible to please everyone all of the time, maybe only some people some of the time. However, I can only say I have done my best. I apologise if I have hurt anyone over the years. Where I have failed to exercise love, I take this opportunity to say - Sorry! I am aware of my own faults and I ask pardon of God. I have been His servant in this place and I pray that the work and mission of the Church in Waterlooville will be fruitful in the future. I thank God for what I have done and have achieved here and I am very sorry for what I have not been able to do and what I have failed to do. Thank you for all you have done for me personally, your friendship, kindness and generosity. It has been a privilege to share this great task with you. I pray that God's blessing may be with the priest who succeeds me and upon his work here, upon you and all whom you love during the coming years. MALCOLM FERRIER p.s. Do please keep in touch and if you are visiting the West Country or passing through (ring me first to make sure I will be home), I will be delighted to see you and hear all the news. Warminster is about halfway between Salisbury and Bath on the main A36, and on the Portsmouth - Swansea Inter-City service. 44 Woodcock Gardens, |
|
page last updated |
