(No.34 /2021)

Rector's Jottings

Dear friends,

I am writing this the after Trevor’s beautiful funeral yesterday. What an event! I could not have asked for more.

Thanking people is always risky as there is a chance of leaving someone out, so if I do that please forgive me.

I am hugely grateful to Fr Ben for leading the service, which was Trevor’s wish, and to Mthr Mitzi, and my dear friend Fr James from Clifton Cathedral, both of whom put in a large amount of work helping Fr Ben to arrange the service in all its many aspects. Our fabulous Ministry Team did so much too to help to prepare the church, and make sure things happened smoothly.

Thank you to the servers, the readers, Ed and our fabulous Choir, the sides people, and all who offered generous hospitality to our esteemed guests which included Mayor Adam Jogee and Bishop Rob, and Dame Peggy Woolly of course.

What a joy it was to welcome back Mthrs Anna and Patricia, Vicki, and many Pastoral Assistants too, including David, Tom, Lucy and Tristan.

Apparently over a thousand people tried to access the live stream, and massive thanks to Phil Harnett and to Angus, and all who supported them in providing the necessary technology.

After his operation in June 2020, Trevor was encouraged to eat salty snacks, which became a great fondness of his, and I am grateful to Annie, Mari-Wynn, and those who helped them get the salty snacks organised yesterday, and to Michael and Lesley, and the team of pourers for the fizz and orange juice. It was a fine wake.

The funeral was, in some ways, the significant milestone ending a journey that has been extremely challenging, and began with Trevor’s diagnosis in May 2020. A huge number of people have been so very supportive at home as I sought to care for Trevor as best I could. I want to particularly mention his sister Cheryl, and David her husband, and my Mum and Dad, and my nephew Jack, and brother Luke, and his wife Sharon.

But most of all, in this Jottings, I want to thank YOU. You are reading this because you are part of the Hornsey Parish community in some way or another. Over these past seventeen months, Trevor and I have been so very blessed to live among you, and to have the privilege of counting ourselves as part of you.

Last Monday, 22nd November, marked ten years since Trevor and I moved into Hornsey Rectory. We often shared how lucky we felt to be called to serve in this parish, and your kindness, love and support over these past months has made all the difference to what has been a very difficult time. Clearly, our decision to accept Bishop Peter’s invitation, along with the then Churchwardens, to come to Hornsey Parish, was led by God.

As I look to the future, I am a bit daunted to be honest, as I begin to navigate the prospect of life without dear Trevor. I am grateful to the large number of you whose life experience means you have trodden this path of loss ahead of me, and I know that you particularly will be reading these words from a place of understanding.

A kind member of our church wrote these beautiful words to me recently: “..Don’t worry if you won’t be able to work so hard for the causes you love…but we shall have you back with us and we shall be the richer..”. Whilst I ask that you may be gentle with me over the next few weeks and months, I know that this is unnecessary because you will be. That’s who you are.

I continue to be so grateful for the leadership of Mthr Mitzi and the Ministry Team, along with Annie and Richard our Churchwardens, assisted by Ricardo as part of the Churchwardens team. I expect to begin to pick up some duties over the next few weeks, and be involved again on Sundays from mid December. Indeed, Sunday December 12th, being my tenth anniversary of becoming Rector of Hornsey, may well be a good date to aim for to join you again in church for worship.

My final thanks must go to Trevor. On the 1st January 2022 we would have been celebrating 23 years together. I want to say to him, “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!”

I feel his loss terribly of course, but know that he continues to pilgrim with me, as I do with you, as we go forward together with Christ. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

With my thanks, and the assurance of my continued prayers,

Fr Bruce