Tower and Town, June 2026 (view the full edition)Clergy LetterAt the end of July, my wife, Jane, retires from being a special needs teacher and, recently, TA, and I retire from the Methodist Ministry. Rather, being one of Mr Wesley's itinerant ministers, I won't retire, but "sit down". The Methodist Conference will not send me to other churches but let me sit down and put my horse out to grass! We will be moving from a five bedroom manse to a three bedroom bungalow. So, we have started turning out and know that there will be many things which we will not be able to take with us. We have books in nearly every room and the culling has begun! It is hard going through old friends, thinking "will I read you again? Probably not: you must go!" Thrillers, whodunnits, spy stories and family dramas are all up for scrutiny. Classics such as "Bleak House", ("A" Level text), I've been meaning to reread for years - that's safe, as is Paul Gallico's "The Snow Goose: A Story of Dunkirk", illustrated by Peter Scott, a present to my Mother in the 1950's from her sister. The theology books will also have to be pruned - some haven't been opened since leaving college, thirty-six years ago! They looked good, but there will be no room in the bungalow! Bible Commentaries will be packed and travel with us, but the half read books...? The process is making me think about what is important, not only in print, but life in general. I may be sitting down, but faith will still be a central part of life and Jane and I will be taking time to work out how we will live that out in our new home and community. Reflecting on the ministerial role, I will not miss the emails, the constant information from the Church's head office or the evening meetings. What I have enjoyed is the worship; the studying of the Bible and praying with others; the privilege of sharing the Christian faith journey with people at the different stages of their faith, learning and growing together; being part of people's rites of passage whether they have faith or not; going into schools and nursing homes; sharing and working ecumenically; eating meals together round a table; meeting people and being part of a community; and so much more. Jane and I look forward to continuing many of these things in our new setting. What have I learnt over thirty-six years in ministry? Too many to mention, but three main things: the love and faithfulness of God, which is new every morning and always with us; the love and care of God's people, which has forgiven me my mistakes and encouraged me through good and difficult times; the love and comfort of Jane and family, who have put up with late meals and "always talking"! Wherever we are in our life journey, it is helpful to stop occasionally and reflect on what is important in our lives; what to keep and what to let go; and to know that God is with us in all that life brings along. Stephen Skinner |