Thoughts of a Team Vicar April 2024 

Rev Ashley Hines
Great Yarmouth Team Ministry

It is with great sadness that I write my final lead letter for the parishes of Great Yarmouth. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with you but God is calling me on a new journey. This journey will take me nearer to my home town and will bring with it many challenges. The first of these challenges will be there will be no one else to blame when things go wrong. If this happens here, I just blame Father Simon, I might still blame him, the difference is, he will never know and no one will believe me
 
The second challenge will be looking after three churches and tending to the needs of the parish, which includes an army medical training facility, a hospice and a young offenders unit
 
Thirdly the parishes are in a rural setting, with one shop, a hairdresser, doctors, and pharmacy but no dentist
 
On a positive note Roger and I will only be a 5 minute drive from the nearest train station and being centrally placed we will have easy access to most places. We are 10 minutes away from Lichfield Cathedral where I had the privilege of being ordained. This is a time of reflection and asking myself if  I am ready for the challenge? The answer is probably not, but I have never let that stop me from doing things in the past. I am also reminded of the passage in Hebrews 13: v21 “God will equip you with every good thing to carry out his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory”. So as long as I keep God in mind and remind myself that it is his will then to quote Julian of Norwich, “All will be well, and all will be well and all manner of things will be well”
 
The highlights of my time here are too many to mention, but I must thank Father Simon for trying his best to understand my weird ways and dry sense of humour, for allowing me to do things in my own way and for allowing me to push the boundaries. To my colleagues who have supported me and with whom I have been able to share different ways of ministering. To the congregations, except for Rose Bishop who bullied me into running 5k for pathway, I am only joking and I will miss you and James. To the craft group which was founded after a conversation about ringing the bell at St Mary's, for some strange reason Rose Bishop was involved in that conversation as well. To Tracy Lacey, who’s going to sort my IT skills out now I ask myself? Tracey Horn for all your guidance and who gets me, I shall miss working with you. For everyone at Pathway, for showing love and support and for just being there, the YMCA, much underfunded but who do fantastic work and The Gateway club, a unique and special place. There are of course many other people who I have not named, but please believe me when I say I shall miss you all and I shall forever carry a little piece of Great Yarmouth in my heart wherever I go
 
My hope for you all is that you continue to spread the gospel, bringing light into the darkness, laughter and love to all in need and most importantly to listen to God and hear his will for you all who live and minister in this place
 

With love and blessings
Mother Ashley

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