Monthly Themes

letter to the Circuit September 2026 from Deacon Andy

Dear all,

Well, I’m back after a VERY enjoyable and relaxing sabbatical! (I know, you probably never even missed me) ?! 

I have quite often written about the need to stop, relax and have some personal time to refresh our batteries. This is both a physical and spiritual exercise, and can be quite a challenge in our busy, 24/7 world. Over the last three months I’ve had the wonderful privilege of being able to do just that – and it’s been magnificent! (I think I’ll have another one next year!!) 🤣  Seriously, a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has ‘held the fort’ while I’ve been on sabbatical. (N.B. – Not on holiday !!

A few ‘highlights’ from my sabbatical have enabled me to reflect on life, ministry and everything else in between.

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Returning to Okehampton to lead worship (which I’d promised to do many months ago) was a delight and a chance to reflect on the formative years I spent in Okehampton Methodist Church (as it was then: Later Methodist & URC). It offered me a chance to, yet again, look back and acknowledge all the influences different people had on my life and how it helped to equip me for ministry. So much of our past is an equipping for whatever the future holds

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The highlight of my sabbatical was a ten-day guided pilgrimage of Ireland. Lynn had seen it online and it was organised by a group from America, who were a great bunch. It was marvellous with everything included: not having to worry about accommodation, driving, parking, where to eat or what to visit was very special. Much of the pilgrimage was visiting ancient monastic sites, a lot of which originated back to the time of St Patrick and the other Saints who contributed to the foundation of the Christian Church in Ireland. We were reminded that at the time of Patrick (around 400AD) there was neither Protestant nor Roman Catholic denominations.

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The testimonies of how God worked through ordinary people to bring the Christian Church to Ireland are quite incredible. On a lighter side we also visited the Giants Causeway, Galway Bay & Aran Island, Johnny Fox’s pub for a traditional Irish ‘Hooley’ and a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. It was interesting to learn that the Guinness family built several tenement blocks with scores of small flats to house the poor and destitute of Dublin.

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Elsewhere during my sabbatical, I/ we were able to visit friends, watch the T20 cricket final (from the Chairmen’s lounge!), spend time birdwatching, exploring new areas and, most importantly, spending time with my mum who celebrated her 90th Birthday in June and celebrating our own 40th Wedding Anniversary in July.

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Much reflection has taken place around various subjects including realising just how tired I was and how much I needed my sabbatical. It brought to mind how little time I/ we spend with friends, along with my on-going response to God’s call to find that lonely spot and take time to pray and listen.

Many places we visited in Ireland were described as a ‘thin place’ where the distance between heaven and earth (God and us) is extremely narrow. Strangely, the ‘thin place’ where God spoke to me about stationing was in the Ken Barret bird hide at RSPB Rainham Marshes. Was I surprised? Yes, a bit – but when we’re ready to listen, God is more than ready to speak to us – regardless of where we are. Many times

God and His creation touched my heart on the occasions I basked in the beauty and wonder of nature.

I guess the question for us all to consider is, ‘Where is my thin place where I can get away, be with God and listen to what He has to say’?

 Maybe it’s time to discover your ‘thin place’ or ‘lonely spot’; a place where you can discover the nearness of God and all the blessings that He has to offer.

 May God open all our sense to enable us to experience his closeness and his blessings.

By the time you read this we will be through August and bracing ourselves for the 1st September and another Methodist year. (Where does the time go?). A very fond farewell to Revd Mmasape and welcome to Revd Chis Sandy  as he settles in and we think a bit more about the future. including minister's letters, meetings,

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So, as we enter a new connexional year, I leave you with these words:

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I Do Not Know What Lies Ahead,
The Way I Cannot See;
Yet One Stands Near to Be My Guide,
He’ll Show The Way To Me:

I Know Who Holds the Future,
And He’ll Guide Me With His Hand;
With God Things Don’t Just Happen,
Everything By Him Is Planned.
So as I Face Tomorrow,
With Its Problems Large And Small,
I’ll Trust The God Of Miracles,
Give To Him My All.

I Do Not Know How Many Days
Of Life Are Mine to Spend;
But One Who Knows And Cares For Me
Will Keep Me To The End:

Chorus

I Do Not Know the Course Ahead,
What Joys And Grief’s Are There;
But One Is Near Who Fully Knows,
I’ll Trust His Loving Care:

Chorus

God bless you all

Andy