Dear Friends,

I’m writing to you following my visit to Wesley today. It is really good to be back with you following my sabbatical over the summer. Thank you for your good wishes and prayers which have helped me. It has been wonderful to spend more time with family and friends including visiting my extended family in Wales. It has been relaxing to just read, sit in the sunshine in the manse garden, go to the beach at South Shields and to visit St. Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle for times of prayer.

In this story, the hare is so confident of winning that he even sleeps during the race and then, the tortoise, slowly and steadily, ends up winning. The point being made is that there is value and benefit in doing things in a slow, steady, and careful way.

As you will know Huw is on sabbatical which is a gift from the church to every minister. The sabbatical is taken every seven years. This is what is written on the Methodist Church website- `For Methodist presbyters and deacons, a sabbatical is a period of release from ordinary ministerial duties, in addition to normal holidays, for the purpose of pursuing an approved programme of study, research, work or experience. It is intended as a time for re-equipping, refreshment and renewal.’ Please continue to pray for Huw during this time.