AS THE NEW YEAR BEGINS WITH LIGHT AND FIRE MAY OUR LIVES BE FILLED WITH THE LIGHT AND FIRE OF GOD'S LOVE.

As I write this it is the first week of January and the New Year, the New Decade has just begun. On New Year's Eve my friends and I turned on the television to watch the fireworks in London as Big Ben struck midnight. I love fireworks. I get really excited when I can see them live.

At this time of the year it is natural to look back, over the past year and also the past decade and reflect on what has happened, how far we have travelled, or not. To remember the joys and sorrows we have encountered. This has been even more on my mind as it has been my last Christmas and New Year in this parish.

At the end of March I will be coming to the end of my ministry here as I leave to take up the post of Team Vicar in the Retford Team Ministry with responsibility for All Hallows, Ordsall and St Bartholomew's, Sutton cum Lound in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. So this will be the last article I write for Oxon Link.

My feelings are very mixed. I know it is time for me to go and I am certain that this move is the right one for me. I have felt very honoured over the last four and half years to meet so many of you in the community as we have shared together in the baptism of yourself or a family member, or your wedding. It has been a great privilege to care for so many of you through your bereavement.

One of the greatest joys has been to reach out to so many of you who do not worship with us regularly at Oxon Church. I recognised very early on in my ministry how difficult it was for many of you to attend our church because of its position on the north edge of the parish and across a busy road. So, it has been very fulfilling to watch my colleagues at Oxon Church grow in confidence and understanding as they have led services in the Scout Headquarters on Rad Valley Road. We have had so much success with this that we now have a regular monthly service there on the third Sunday of every month at 3.00pm.

I have really enjoyed my relationship with the Head Teacher, staff, children and parents at Oxon School. It has been great fun taking assemblies and sharing with the children in their learning.

Since the arrival of our excellent organist, John Bowen, I have appreciated the opportunity you have given me, through the school, to build a Junior Choir.

Why do we do it? Why do we give up so much time to serve our community? The easy answer, as far as some of you may think, is that I am paid to do it because it is my job. But this is not really an answer nor is it easy. I had a very good job years ago with the Halifax so why did I give it up? I could have stayed there, living in the community I knew well. Why did I give it all up, become a Priest and move on.

There is only one answer that makes any sense; Love - Love of neighbour - Love for all - a desire to serve others and above all a desire to serve Jesus who I came to love and rely on many years ago.

I think many of the congregation at Oxon Church would say the same - they do it for love. Love of Jesus, love of you. There is no other explanation they are volunteers. They work very hard giving their time, money and resources to serve you, the community and keep your church going. So now it is time for me to let go and move on.

It is time for Oxon Church to enter a new stage in their ministry and service. I pray that in this coming year the people of Oxon Church will serve each other and this parish with enthusiasm, joy and with a determination to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all those in their care.

And for you - what do I pray for the nine thousand people whom it has been my privilege to serve during these last few years:

As I remember those fireworks on New Years Eve and how they lit up the night sky I pray that the light of Christ will excite you, inspire you and give you peace, grace and courage to live life in the way God has always intended. Amen.

With love and prayers Revd. Sue Caddy. Parish Priest.