As you will all know, I am retiring from my post as Priest in Charge of Barnack with Bainton and Ufford from the end of February after four years. Retirement is a funny thing and downsizing is even stranger! As I write I am surrounded by various piles of books that need to be sorted and to find new homes – there isn’t a huge demand for theology! I am also conscious that the spare room contains various piles that need to go somewhere – but not to my new house!

But this is just the tip of the iceberg – what about the little owl that my daughter bought for me in the French market on our first family holiday to France? – or the wonky bookcase that my son made on his first attempt at woodwork? They and the many bits and pieces like them will have to be found a place in the new house and if it seems cluttered then does that really matter?

I do have some friends who sold up virtually everything and bought a brand new house and contents and it looks lovely – always tidy and uncluttered – and they had a great sense of freedom when they had done that. On the other hand I have another friend whose house is so full of precious objects that it is hard to find a seat – but then she has never and intends never to move from her house. Both houses are more than welcoming and both have done what is right for them. We are told that we should keep our eye on heavenly things and let the rest go – but I believe that it is about sitting lightly to out wordly goods that is important. There is no doubt that we all have too much and the gap in the world is widening – the recent earthquake in Haiti shows how many there are who have so little. A group of children playing amongst the ruins clearly with only the clothes they stand up in and at the most they have one ball between them with which to play contrasts strongly with the piles of toys and expensive electronics to be found in most family homes here. It is a complex world in which we all live, but it shouldn’t be an earthquake that wakens us to need.

My book piles speak to my conscience – but only I can do something about how I use my wealth in the future and whilst I think about that I’ll continue to look at my owl, try to wedge some books into the little bookcase and enjoy the memories they carry.

Interregnum
(This is the name for the time when there is not a Rector in post!)
I leave the parish at the end of February and though the Diocese will start the process to find a new Rector, this will take time, especially as the plan is to join our parishes with Helpston and Wittering. This is a good plan as it means that you will have someone full time in post and though she or he will have larger duties it will be possible to plan in some help. Here we already have Mary Gowers in training for licensed ministry and there are others in Helpston and Wittering already licensed. During this time, if you have any requests or needs, please contact one of your Churchwardens who will ‘hold things together’. They will be very busy, but please do not be afraid to approach them.

I will still be around for some of the time as I am continuing as Chair of Governors at Barnack School and also will be staying with the ‘Open the Book’ group who take Bible stories into the school. I guess I will take a few Services as well.

I haven’t found it easy to work a three day week – in fact it hasn’t happened – but I have had to let some things go and I am sorry if there are folk who feel neglected or things that people feel I should have done and I haven’t! I would like to say thank you to all who have helped me to feel welcome and supported me in the time I have been here. I wish the churches and the communities every good thing for the future.
Margaret

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