Last and first

Today was my last Sunday at the church I’ve been going to since we got married in January 1996. I’m not around next week when it’s the other’s last Sunday.

It was our International Sunday followed by an amazing international spread of food. It all felt emotionally very heavy but it’s ok. The absolute conviction that we were to join the new church plant is heavier.

I have loved going to and serving in this church. A lot has changed and a lot has passed by, naturally.

But then we got to meet for the first time in our new building. Everyone was exploring and excited. The 3 teenage boys rose to the challenge of climbing high and the rest of us kept feet firmly on the ground, for now.

Then back for the England game. Boy! It’s so challenging being an England supporter sometimes. Delighted by the result but MightyMouse lost his voice in the process.

Another tense hour followed as NoaNoa realised he was about to run out of time to book his accommodation for Leeds University next year. V grateful for Elbows’ patience at times like this.

And the silly picture of a box full of salt and pepper pots … well, that’s there because 5 years ago, 2 orange boxes full of salt and pepper pots mysteriously disappeared from church, upsetting a few people enormously, who were convinced someone was mean enough to steal them. One person was so upset by the trauma, she went and bought a load more and has hidden them each week ever since, after her group has used them. Mr Cooper and I found the original ones today whilst rummaging for spare crockery to take away …