First time on the blog!

Well here I am blogging for the first time - how exciting! Wonder if anyone will read it - do i actually want them to?!
What to say? Well I guess I am pretty bowled over by today's Deanery service at St Peter & St Pauls - how much love was just flowing out from everyone present and what a joy it was to be there! Ss P & P has gone through hard time recently. Huge numbers have left the parish to join the Anglican Ordinariate, including the priest, leaving a small number of dazed and confused parishioners trying to pick up the pieces and keep everything going. And they have - the commitment of those "left behind" has been awesome and i feel hugely privileged to be part of that. With the support of our Rural Dean, the Archdeacon and the many priests who have pitched up to celebrate  Holy Communion with us we are still there and will continue to be there for as long as we can. We are still a parish with a catholic tradition and all those are supporting us are honouring that which is much appreciated.
It has been a very odd few months in many ways - many tears have been shed but much joy and fellowship has also been had. People have come forward with gifts previously unknown. People who have only ever shared a few brief words at services are cementing real friendships. And throughout it all God's love is so apparent to everyone. There are certainly challenges ahead. We have no PCC, not much money and no incumbent. But what we do have in abundance is love and support from so many people throughout the Deanery that we were not even aware of.
I miss many of those who have followed their path to the Ordinariate but am glad for them that they are finding their own spiritual fulfillment. Will we ever all worship together again? I fervently pray that we do and sooner rather than later.
As for me well I have shed too many tears for what I believed was lost but now i know to be a new beginning. Whilst the most painful times were happening I was following my own path and in September will begin training for ordination for which I am truly grateful to God.
So this is the story of my journey - will I be able to get the hang of this blogging thing? Let's wait and see!