Dear Church Family
It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that two dear and long-standing members of our church have passed away while under the care of Dorothy House Hospice.
Stuart Farrimond passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning [17th May] after a long battle with ill health. Grace has asked for space at this time and is surrounded by supporting family and friends.
Please join us in lifting up Grace and the wider family in prayer during this tender time. We pray especially for God's peace, comfort, and presence to fill them.
There will be a service to celebration of life service for Stu at 2pm on Tuesday 3rd June at Leafy Lane Natural Burial Ground.
Val Huxley passed away peacefully on Friday [9th May] afternoon, surrounded by her loving family.
Bill wrote:
Valerie passed at 13.50 today [Friday 9th May], surrounded by her family. She is a peace. The Lords gain but our hearts our broken at the loss of our dear Valerie, mum and best friend. A hole that can never be filled.
Please continue to pray for Bill and the family during this time of loss. Pray that they would know the peace and presence of Jesus who is able to hold, sustain and be along side them in difficult times.
There will be a celebration of life service for Val on Friday 30th May 2:00pm at Emmanuel’s Yard.
Mark & Meg
A word on grief from Mark
Last week I talked about the now and the not yet of the kingdom.
Jesus has won the battle on the cross. Through his death and resurrection, sin is forgiven and we have life in him. He gives us access to the now of his kingdom today and we see him doing amazing things.
But there is still a long way to go before his return which will bring the fullness of his kingdom. Then ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ Rev 21:4. This is the not yet of the kingdom.
In Thessalonians it says:
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14
Note that we do not grieve like the rest of mankind, we have hope, but we do still grieve.
So we pray, ‘Jesus come and bring comfort to those who are grieving and in pain. That in the midst of it all they may know your peace, presence and hope.’