Thank you so much to everyone who took part in the Vocations day in Truro Cathedral.

It was a celebration of personal story-telling as we heard how God has touched the lives of so many of us. There was also a sense of us stretching to hear what God might next be calling each of us to.

During the day, someone on their own vocational journey shared with us this poem by Guillaume Apollinaire. It resonated powerfully as we set off on the next stage of our life-long journey as disciples of Jesus.

“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We can’t, we’re afraid!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We can’t, we will fall!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
And so they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.”

It was so encouraging to witness such openness and eagerness for God and we could not have asked for a better setting for our farewell, blending joy with sadness.

Thank you so much for the warmth and authenticity of your affirmation and appreciation. Ellie and I were very touched by all that was said publicly and by the many one-to-one conversations which characterised the day. Thank you for the various kind and thoughtful gifts we received. And thank you to for your generosity to the vital work of St Petrocs.

In the beautifully simple, call and response of the Franciscan prayers we shared together in the cathedral, Ellen and I would once again wish to say:

As we leave, we ask forgiveness where we have failed you;
We give thanks for all that you have given to us;
We assure you of our love and prayers.

We know that God goes with us.

 Chris and Ellen