Dear friends,

So… this is a somewhat surreal message to write! As we come to the end of our time in ministry here, and prepare for retirement (whatever that might look like) and for our return to our home in Sunningdale, we have so many mixed emotions.

First and foremost, we have a deep sense of gratitude to God for leading us on this journey with you over the last 15 years. We are so grateful for the things that he has done amongst us as we’ve sought to follow his lead, and we are particularly grateful for the way in which you have embraced – and in some cases initiated – those areas of church life and ministry that have been significant.

So, to those who kept Noah’s Ark going through some lean years to pave the way for its growth over the last ten years – thank you for your faithful service. To those who responded to God’s call to build on our relationships with Noah’s Ark families by establishing our Messy Church congregation, thank you for your obedience. To those who teamed up to establish Windsor Foodshare, know that your willingness to go the extra mile has drawn many other volunteers into our building since then and had helped many hundreds of neighbours at risk of food poverty over the last twelve years. To those with a heart for people’s well-being, thank you for your time in ensuring that the WellSpring offers a safe place where ‘it’s okay not to be okay’ every week. And to those who have served in various roles, often in the background, as trustees, children’s workers, stewards, service leaders, preachers, musicians, technicians, Home Group leaders, pastoral visitors and more… thank you for all that you have done – and continue to do – to help church be church.

Perhaps inevitably, we leave with a sense of unfinished business – there is still so much more to do! And that is good and right, because it is a sign that there is still the hope and promise of future life to come. After all, Jesus left his disciples just as things started to get really interesting for the early Church! Our prayer for you all is that things will start to get really interesting for DGBC – in the best possible sense, of course – as you continue to serve God together under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.

You will remain very much in our thoughts and prayers as you enter this new season of pastoral vacancy, and we look forward to hearing news from Dedworth from time to time, even as we explore God’s future call on our own lives.

So, a heartfelt thank you from both of us to all of you. May you know God’s strength and leading for the months and years ahead, and may he continue to make you a rich blessing to the community that you serve, as you partner him in his mission to the world.

With our love and prayers, always
Matthew and Pauline