All change!

We live in changing times, but we know there is One who is unchanging, whatever is going on around us.

Farewell, Audri and Dawn

We are very sorry to be losing Audri, our Centre Manager, who has been with us for five years or so. She has contributed hugely to the ministry of Green Pastures and has done an amazing job, particularly over the last year whilst we have been without a pastoral director. We shall miss her many skills and gifts, and her pastoral heart which has been so precious. Over the last year she has been more involved in the pastoral work here, in addition to coping with all her other duties as Centre Manager. I know that we all wish Audri well in her new role as she enters the world of Christian Publishing.

We have just heard that Dawn is also leaving, to take up a job near to her family home on the Isle of Wight. As one of her first tasks, she has the challenge of designing and managing the creation of a chapel. We wish her well for the future.

Please join with me in praying for these two special people, who have both contributed so much to the life at Green Pastures over many years.

New staff
We are starting to interview for a new Chaplain now and have a long list of enquirers, which is pleasing. The Centre Manager post is now being advertised and we hope that both new members of the team will, if possible, be able to get to know each other before they start. Meanwhile, I am very pleased to say that Jim and Ruth Price have agreed to lead the Christmas House Party, and we look forward to welcoming them back to Green Pastures. We are also very pleased that Jim has agreed to ‘hold the fort’ as Centre Manager for the two months until Christmas. This will give us time and space to concentrate on finding the right team of Chaplain and Manager for the future.

New look
The New Year promises to be challenging, as we get the new team in place. We are also planning to close after the Christmas House Party until 14 February 2010. Any group bookings already made will go ahead as planned. During this time we are proposing to refurbish the kitchen, to bring it up to modern standards. We are also looking to undertake repairs and redecorating, etc., and we are putting a schedule of work together now. If anyone would like to give some time and energy to help with all this work we would love to hear from you.

In all these changes, our task as Trustees is to continue to facilitate God’s work in the Centre, by encouraging people to come and be open to all that God wants to do. This will always remain our focus.

In closing we hope you have a very blessed Christmas. Please do come and see us in the new Green Pastures in the New Year.

Alan Field
Chairman