Farewell to Gary & Helen

Gary and Helen conducted their last service on Sunday 17 January, joined by members of the congregation and friends from Cottingley. Well-wishers came from far and wide (including Anglesey!) and battled through ‘arctic’ conditions to say farewell to the Hodgsons after serving our church for nearly seven years - truly the end of an era.

It was an emotional but wonderful day and there were more than a few tears during the service, presentations and speeches. An impressive faith lunch was shared afterwards with everyone bringing a dish towards the meal.

We give thanks for Gary and Helen and their inspiring and loving ministry over the last seven years, and we wish them God’s rich blessing as they take up their new role in the parish of Tong and Laisterdyke. We give thanks that they were called into ministry with us and led us in so many ways each week – teaching us, listening to us, celebrating with us, comforting us, being present in so many ways in our lives. God Bless you and Thank You from everyone at St Michael’s!

St Michael’s is now in a vacancy period called an “interregnum” until a new vicar is appointed. The procedure for finding a vicar can take several months, however in the meantime it is still ‘business as usual’ and all services will be held and conducted by our Retired Clergy, our Reader and visiting Clergy.