Written by Ruth for the July 2015 parish magazine
When Alan asked me to write something about myself for this magazine, what came immediately to mind was how much Kevin and I are looking forward to living in the parish and getting to know you.
Kev and I have moved house a few times during our 26 years together, but all that time (and for some years beforehand) I've been a member of St. Martin's Church in Eynsford. I sang in the choir for years while my late father was the organist. Kev, our daughter Corinne and I finally moved to Eynsford about 10 years ago. We rebuilt half our house thinking that we would stay there for ever, never imagining that God had a different idea! At St. Martin's I was happily involved in church life; as well as singing, in particular I led the youth group for a few years and helped the church think more missionally. I ended up as churchwarden for 6 years, which included an interregnum – a busy time but a wonderful learning opportunity. Gradually, out of this happy busyness and a deepened faith, a sense of God calling me to ordination grew and well ... here I am.
Obviously leaving a community we know and love is not easy, but when Bishop Brian invited me to consider St. Mary's, nearly a year ago now, I couldn't have been more delighted. I was keen to experience non-rural ministry, and hoping for a lively church, engaged in the wider community. Our visit to St. Mary's last August confirmed my feelings, especially because we were made so welcome, so I was thrilled to receive an offer of the post of Assistant Curate from Alan.
I have been training at Ripon College Cuddesdon, which is just outside Oxford. Prior to that I was a partner in Kevin's business which is based in Dartford and sells fishing equipment. Before that I worked in the voluntary sector for a while, and that followed 18 years working for Wellcome, with 10 of those years on the Beckenham site. I'm therefore quite familiar with the Bromley area but not so much north of Tweedy Road!
Corinne, who is now 25, lives in Shortlands, and will be getting married to Danny in May next year. We also have two scatty Golden Retrievers. We will be moving on July 8th, although you may see us coming and going before then, and we look forward to meeting everyone at the 10.30am service on Sunday 12th July.
I am really looking forward to learning and working alongside you. In the meantime I pray that you will know God’s blessing in everything.
Ruth