Rob’s retirement and the long farewell

In February 2020, Prebendary Rob North will retire from his 38 years of ministry in the diocese of Hereford.

Rob and his wife, Margaret have been part of the ministry in the West Hereford Team for over 27 years, initially at St Nicholas’ Church and then later in the other churches of the West Hereford Team; All Saints, St Michael’s, Breinton, and Holy Trinity. It is with grateful thanks that we look back over their ministry, and wish them all the best for the future.

You can read about Rob’s hopes to pick up a paint brush, get stuck in with the cows on a dairy farm, and visit lots of friends in his letter here:

Rob and Margaret have been part of life in the Team for a very long time and there are a huge number of people that would like to say farewell.

If you would like to wish Rob and Margaret well on the next stage of their life and share some of the memories you might have of their time in ministry, you would be very welcome to join us.

As well as final services in each of the churches beginning on 5th January(!), there are a number of opportunities for farewells:

Sunday 19^th January at 10.00am: Rob has been invited to preside at the Cathedral Eucharist

Saturday 25^th January in the evening there is to be a Burn’s Night Supper and Ceilidh at Holy Trinity Church

Sunday 26^th January Rob will preside and preach at the Parish Eucharist at St Michael’s, Breinton for the last time at 11.00am followed by a lunch in the Village Hall

Saturday 1^st February there will be a supper in All Saints Church at 7.00pm

AND on Sunday 2^nd February the final farewell will be held where it all began, with a Team Eucharist followed by lunch in St Nicholas’ Church.

There will be ‘sign-up’ sheets in each of the churches from the New Year.

Gifts for Rob and Margaret. Rob writes the following:

Often at this time in a clergy’s ministry, there is a cash collection and something is bought by which to remember the parishes, which is very kind and generous. I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I would really rather receive a token gift and not something too expensive. If you do want to give a cash gift, then I would greatly appreciate one in my name to one of the charities we support.

If you would like to know more about any of the above please contact the office on 01432 273086 and please do join us as we say farewell to Rob and Margaret and send them on their way with our very best wishes.