Hello!
It is with great joy that I write to you as the newest member of the clergy team at St Michael’s. For those who don’t know me, I am Ellie Huggins, I am married to David and we have a little one, Josiah (2) and another baby on the way in December. Though I was on placement here throughout my training at Trinity College, a large part of that was spent in lockdown and so it has been a privilege to be able to continue to be part of the St Michael’s family as I serve my curacy here over the coming years. The journey to ordination has been a long one with lots of twists and turns along the way but the Lord has proved himself faithful through it all and it is with great joy that he has led us to St Michael’s for this season.
Speaking of seasons, a source of delight for me in these days has been observing the leaves changing on the trees as the bright green of Summer gives way to the oranges and reds of Autumn. Family walks with our 2-year-old have led us to discover again the joy of God’s creation as delight is taken in every stick and stone along our path. Acorns have proved to be a favourable collectable item and as I have gathered up them up from coat pockets at the end of a day, it has struck me afresh how something so tiny and insignificant can grow into something as majestic as an oak tree when planted in the right soil. Though acorns aren’t explicitly mentioned, in the Bible Jesus tells a story about a mustard seed which, though the tiniest of seeds, when planted well grows into the largest of all garden plants (Mark 4:30-32) As we ‘root’ ourselves in Jesus and build our lives on Him, we discover that, like the acorn and mustard seed, we too are able to grow and flourish knowing that we are held safe in the arms of our loving heavenly Father who promises to never leave or forsake us.
On Tuesday 1 November, we have a chance to come together for a service of thanksgiving and remembrance on All Saints day as we celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us, and in whose lives the Church as a whole has seen the grace of God powerfully at work. As we give thanks for God’s grace in the past and the present, we recall that growth and flourishing in human life occurs in both the ordinary as well in the extraordinary circumstances of our lives. The All Saints service is in St Michael’s Church on Tuesday 1 November at 7:30pm.
As we enter new seasons ahead, within God’s creation as well as in the changing structures of our society, government and monarchy, may we take strength and comfort in the truth that, as we root ourselves in Jesus Christ – our solid rock and firm foundation – we can have confidence that he will lead us into life in all its fullness and the flourishing that can only come through him.
May God bless you and keep you in His love and care now and in the days to come,
Ellie Huggins
