10th March 2026
Dear Friends,
Myself and Harriet would like to thank you all for all your kindness, love and support over our five and a half years in Trelawny Benefice. I will officially step down at the end of July with my last service being appropriately The Trelawny Plate Service on the 14th July in Pelynt.
We will spend the summer in Switzerland looking after the English churches in Interlaken and Grindelwald. We intend returning in the autumn and are excited as to see what the Lord has next for us to do. You’ll still see me around as I will have a PTO from July to conduct weddings in Trelawny. I will also continue my online ministry with the Church of England which I know many of you appreciate.
This has not been the easiest 5 years of my ministry, virtually 40 years now! It’s been challenging on many fronts. Above all I think I have learnt new and fresh things, even at my age. Hopefully I have been able to impart an evangelistic spirit which the Benefice needs.
Above all we feel Trelawny now needs a fresh vision as to how it might look in the future, with the frailty of many of our parishes. However, we are blessed with many financial resources and feel now is the time to use them for the furtherance of the kingdom of God.
The BAC, through PCCs, will be looking after the ongoing management of services from the end of July. They will also be in conversation with the Diocese as to the type of ministry that can happen in Trelawny in the future.
As many of you know we have bought a bungalow in St Newlyn East to be nearer our daughters and their families and we have good transport links for our son and his family in Exeter. It’s the first time we have lived in our own home full time since 1993! We have resided in tithed accommodation of all sorts of shapes and sizes. This is a welcome relief with a beautiful south facing mature garden. You will welcome to visit.
A huge thank you for being a delightful diverse group of people whom we have genuinely appreciated getting to know and share with. Our own spirituality has been enhanced by yours.
Your friend and pastor
Richard of Trelawny!!!!!!!