My dear Friends.

It was in last September's Magazine that I told you that I was looking forward to welcoming a certain Church Army Captain plus family into our church life here in South Shoebury. The Licensing Service was booked for 21st September with the Bishop of Bradwell and in the same Magazine Peter Wilson introduced himself, his wife Judy and their two children, Susanna 11 and Barnabas 9.

Well it was on Tuesday, 15th February that they actually arrived from Sheffield and by the time you read this letter they will have been welcomed at our main Sunday Service and Peter will have started work (I hope!). It's been hard for Peter and Judy waiting all these months for a suitable house to be found by the Church Army but all that is behind us now and we look forward to Peter and Judy being amongst us.

Quite a number of people here said to me that my life-will be a lot easier once Peter arrives! Well it would be nice if that was to be the case but I doubt if it will be sol Not, I hasten to add, because I don't have every confidence in Peter's ability, enthusiasm and commitment. No problems there (I hope!). Rather I have in mind the fact that he hasn't come to help me out but to expand and develop the Lord's work amongst us, both in giving greater depth to some of the things we are already doing and perhaps start one or two new things.

He and I will, of course, overlap in some things. We will meet and pray together and it will be good for an oldie like me to hear of the latest things from college. However, we must always remember that this is also a kind of training parish for Peter, where (like me in my two curacies) he will no doubt make mistakes and both learn and give a lot.

I hope Peter and Judy will be able to give a lot more time than I have been able, to the 10.40 am Sunday Special and people who attend and other activities at St. Peter's, but all this is for us to seek the Lord's guidance in the coming months.

You made me very welcome when I arrived (almost) seven years ago and I have enjoyed my time with you very much. I am sure you will likewise welcome Peter, Judy and children and that in the years to come I hope and pray that they will look back at their time here with much love and many happy memories.

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