We have said our farewells to the local church at a final, very moving, socially distanced, (but physical!) Service in Holy Trinity, and also to the wider valley community through the pages of The Langdalian; but Langdale Church has a far wider reach than that. As a much-loved previous Vicar, Graham Hartley, used to say: “When you’re vicar of this parish you don’t just minister to those resident in the valley, but to half the world!” And indeed visitors have come to worship with us from all corners of the UK, Europe, America and Australia… in several cases on quite a regular basis. So may I take this opportunity to say goodbye to all you far-flung members of the congregation, and to thank you for blessing us over the years with your company in worship, your fellowship in praise and prayer, your giving and, in many cases over the past twelve years, your friendship? You have played a key role in sustaining the viability of Langdale church when so many rural churches have been forced to close. Thank you all so much.
We shall not be replaced like for like; but the Ambleside Rector, Rev’d Beverley Lock, aided by her able Ministry team, will have oversight and responsibility for the parish in the future. You could not be in safer hands; she is determined to continue and build on existing good practice both in the 10.30 am traditional church congregation, and also with the Fresh Expression of church of families who have been meeting monthly at Little Langdale. Obviously, this comes at a time when churches throughout the world are reviewing the advisability of opening up churches in as near as possible pre-Covid way. We all need to be open to new possibilities at this time, but I’m sure God will bring something good out of the apparent confusion.
Do keep in touch if you’d like to – our email remains the same: georgewrig@hotmail.com. We’ve only moved just down the road into Ambleside.
May God bless you richly as you journey on with our wonderful Saviour!
George & Rosemary Wrigley