We have had a very warm welcome at St Mark's and feel very excited about the future in that context, yet at the same time we mourn the departure from Christ Church Oakworth, where we have been for a considerable number of years, while still part of the community it is now at a distance.
I am also getting used to life without my course/training community although facebook is proving a good tool for keeping many of us in touch. The good thing is that by undertaking training that was non-residential (apart from the weekends, Easter Schools etc etc) we worked out ways of communicating between weekly lectures and building friendships around the practicalities of everyday life.
So it was with a very sad fare well that we said good bye to some very close family members yesterday - as they emigrated/returned to New Zealand - it is a tough call as we are thrilled for them that it all came together amazingly well, but will miss them dearly, not least our little niece and nephews. Not without some good party time over the weekend first! :)
Until our next get-together - one to remember: 
We also said good bye to some relatively new friends on Sunday, also going to New Zealand, this time returning home after a year in the UK on a "job swap". This family swapped churches with a UK family for a year. Work this one out - the Pastor who came over here went to college with the pastor I was on placement with in New Zealand last summer, none of us knew this, the church they came to is 1 mile from our own home and their youngest started reception class last September with out eldest - and so the friendships began! They became greatly valued members of the community, made many friends who will miss them dearly and helped us out on a few occasions too in very selfless ways.
So to our family (who are also dear friends) and to our dear friends, safe travels, keep well and we will see you next April.
God bless
Nigel, Jo, A & J
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