FROM THE VICARAGE STUDY

My Dear People,

August is by long tradition a holiday month. However, for many who work on the land it is the month of special effort with the combine. While for a tiny group of people it is the time for change. Each year at the end of August there are a number of Free Church ministers who move to a new sphere of work. The Rev. Donald White, our Methodist minister, is one of these. He is moving to Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells. I can truthfully say that we have worked together most happily. This is specially significant in view of the fact that the period included a year of discussion and questioning of the Report on the Anglican-Methodist Conversations. Moreover, in keeping with the mood of this Report, Mr. White and I have each felt no personal difficulty in inviting the other to preach and to lead the worship from time to time in our respective churches. Mr. White leaves behind him here memories of co-operation and fellowship and we all, I'm sure, wish him and Mrs. White a very happy ministry and stay at Southborough.

I myself hope to be away on holiday from 9th August to lst September. For most of this time the Rev. B. H. Williams, Vicar of All Saints, New Longton, near Preston, Lancs, has kindly agreed to act as locum tenens. He will be living at the vicarage from, I think, 16th August, and will be willing to do any urgent pastoral work. I know I can rely on you all to welcome him and his family and I much hope that you will make a point of speaking to them if you meet them about in the village. If I may add one word for those going on holiday. Do not forget that wherever you go in this country or abroad there is a church. No holiday is complete without a visit to it - partly because within its walls can be found the character and history of the locality but mainly because we should all wish at least for a few minutes to centre our gratitude for rest and recreation upon Almighty God who governs all things.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

JOHN GREEN.