So here we are – not our last Service in the Parish – and having looked at our diary with several Weddings and the odd baptism in the coming months at St Nicholas’ – you won’t be getting rid of Steve completely for a while! But today is our last service at St Barnabas’. It wasn’t the wow of St Nicholas’ or the smooth words of Anthony that wooed us to the Parish. When we first visited it was the rather less salubrious setting of St Barnabas’ Church Hall.

It was Liz who stood in it and said ‘What potential!’ And we – the Burston family – have been privileged in the past 2+ years to see God release only fraction of that potential – Messy Church and the Youth Club have been highlights for us – and we couldn’t have led them without the amazing volunteers many of you are. It is always dangerous to highlight one individual over another – however – we will in our last pew sheet. Not because this person is any better than anyone else, but because he embodies the quiet way many of you associated with St Barnabas’ go about his or her business.

Mark Dobson has volunteered at Youth Club since it began, every other Friday, wholeheartedly, quietly, humbly and loyally. After a busy week he turns up and serves 30 plus kids with love and encouragement. And that is the story and the potential of St Barnabas’. Clergy as you know – and probably on occasions are relieved to know – come and go, but all you Mark Dobsons (because there are many of you) are the air that breathes life into a place we dearly love and will dearly miss.

Steve, Liz, Grace, Alice, Lily and of course – Digger!!