Sadly this will be my last 'Rector's Reflection' since I shall be retiring at the end of September after nearly ten years in the Kirby and Great Holland parishes. Shall I be sad or glad? — well of course both!!

Firstly very sad because Annie and I have been extremely happy in our time with you, in fact this is the longest we have stayed anywhere in the whole of our married life together! It has been a privilege and a joy to serve such wonderful people and in such a beautiful area (how we will miss the beach and backwaters) and we have been so encouraged in many aspects of our work together. As you may know Annie has served full-time in the Diocese as the Parish Development Adviser for the Colchester area and has really enjoyed her work - which has been much appreciated across the region. For myself, as someone who came relatively late into the full-time ministry, it has been a real 'labour of love' to serve in God's church. It has been a joy to see people come to faith and begin to live the amazing life that we can know in Christ, and something that has always and will continue to 'fire' me. Equally it is a mystery why so many choose not to — at least within the life of the church. I shall certainly miss the worship we have shared together and the work we have been involved in — but for 'the bats' I would have seen the completion of the building programme on the church tower and what an amazing project that has proved to be. I shall miss the great privilege of coming alongside people at those important moments in life - and baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals have continued to bring me much joy. I shall miss so many good friendships, and the fun we've had together.

However, we are all people on a pilgrimage and whilst there is sadness at leaving there will be joy at arrival — wherever that may be (we'll be living in our caravan until we know where). It will be a delight to be able to spend more time with our grandson and the new one shortly to arrive, it will also be a chance to explore with our dog 'Bob' a bit more of our beautiful country which is still a green and pleasant land. It will also be nice just to be a member of a local church!!

I have felt very 'at home' in the parishes of Kirby and Great Holland and would finally like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement over the last ten years. May God continue to bless you and keep you as you build his wonderful and eternal kingdom.

Best wishes,

Peter Coley