The End Of An Era
My time as Team Rector in the Billericay & Little Burstead Team Ministry officially comes to an end on Friday 19 January 2024. It is, of course, a mixture of sadness that Paula and I say farewell to the UK (and family and friends and colleagues in Sunderland, the Wirral and across the country where we’ve lived, worked and served) alongside the excitement of beginning a new adventure in Cyprus – for a few years at least.
It’s been a great privilege for me to have served as Team Rector over the past 15+ years – we’ve shared some wonderful times together in the churches and in the wider community. I’ve met some amazing people and made some amazing friends. We’ve laughed and wept together. We’ve supported each other through the challenges of COVID and lockdown and much, much more. I am thankful for all we have experienced together – thank you for your prayers, friendship and encouragement. I shall miss you.
There’s not an Irish singer or band who haven’t covered The Parting Glass. But I do love this version by Glen Hansard:
Of all the money that e’er I spent
I’ve spent it in good company
And all the harm that ever I did
Alas it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you allIf I had money enough to spend
And leisure to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in the town
That sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you allOh, all the comrades that e’er I had
They’re sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had
They’d wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
Start Of A New One!
I take up my new role as the Parish Priest of the Anglican Church of Paphos in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf on 20 January 2024. I will preach my first sermons on Sunday 21 January 2024 at Ayia Kyriaki at 8.15 am and then speak at a joint service with Saint Luke’s and Saint Stephen’s at 11.00 am. Do say a little prayer for me as I do so!
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is situated at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Asia and Africa. What an amazing privilege to be given the opportunity to serve in such an historic region as Paphos with it’s links to the Apostle Paul, Barnabas, and early Christendom.
Saint Paul’s Column/Pillar is a historically significant landmark in Paphos with many Christians from across the world coming to visit. According to local accounts, this was the place where the Apostle Paul was tortured when he first arrived on the island to preach Christianity (you can read about this in Acts 13).
Many of you have said how you are planning to holiday to Cyprus in the next couple of years – be sure to get in touch when you visit. We’d love to meet up with you and show you some of the sights and introduce you to some of the great Taverna’s we’re sure to have found.
Some of you have said you are considering a Marriage Blessing or even a Wedding in Cyprus! Do have a look at Your Cyprus Wedding for more information. What could be better than a ceremony on the beach with sand between your toes and the Mediterranean lapping up on the shore – all this plus an officiant you know!
If you wish to keep in contact, this will be my address in Cyprus:
18 Georgio Christforou
House 4
8250 Empa, Paphos
Cyprus
You can follow also me on the following social media platforms:
X/Twitter revPACman
Facebook revpacman1
Instagram revpacman1
Email paul@revpacman.com
Website revpacman.com
I plan to continue regularly posting the same random mix of thoughts you’ve become accustomed to on a variety of subjects including Faith, Music, Sport, Theatre and anything else which I may want to wax lyrical about. So be sure to take a look from time to time. I can’t guarantee, however, that I won’t be posting any piccies of sun-kissed beaches.
I hope to continue ‘revpacman promotions’ in the coming months. If you’re a musician friend reading this – come and see us and bring your guitar and we’ll guarantee you a House Gig!
If you’ve missed the chronology of posts on my move to Cyprus, you can catch up here!
Be safe and be blessed.
xx
revPACman 