Goodbye Rachel!

This week, we said farewell to Rachel as she leaves to begin a new season of ministry in Cornwall. We had residents old and new, as well as Companions join us for a farewell service and celebrate Rachel’s time here and all she has gifted this Community and the people in it through her role. Rachel will be missed, but we are so grateful for her leadership and significant role she has played in the formation of so many residents here at the Community.

Here are a few words from Bishop Martyn:

“I am so grateful to Rachel for five years that she has spent establishing the Community of Tree of Life. She arrived here when the community was no more than an idea, and then, alongside Alan and Lesley Humphrey and a small group of supporters she transformed the idea into the reality of a refurbished building opposite the Cathedral with a lively, energetic group of young adults devoted to exploring prayer and service. This took both patience, determination and great grace as she dealt with many setbacks and changes along the way. As a result, a significant number of young lives have been transformed, with some exploring a vocation to church ministry. I want to assure Rachel of our prayers as she moves to a new ministry in Cornwall.”

In the words of the Franciscan farewell that we shared in Rachel’s final service, ‘we know that God goes with us.’ Please pray for Rachel as she manages the move to Cornwall and settles into her new home there.

Anna and Josh will be taking over the interim Community leadership in their roles as Associate Community Leader and Operations Manager. You can contact them at Anna.Bland@leicestercofe.org and Josh.CrickdeBoom@leicestercofe.org.