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FAREWELL
The last five years have gone very quickly - but what a lot has happened! The Court's Carol Service is now a fixture of the legal life of Leeds. The chaplaincy to the court has now been in place for over two years and is providing a service that is greatly valued within the court. Just as importantly, the chaplaincy at the Leeds Combined Court Centre is proving to be pioneering work and has set an example which other courts are showing an interest in following. The multi-faith quiet room, initially viewed with some scepticism by one or two court managers, has proved to be a well-used and much welcomed resource. The Lent group at court has now grown into a fortnightly Christian Fellowship for judges and court staff. Next year will see another new venture - the inaugural Leeds Court's Lent Lecture. The lecture, to be given by a former President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd. the Lord Griffiths, will be at Oxford Place on Wednesday 16th February at 5.30. You are all welcome.
It was over a decade ago that you at Oxford Place had a vision for reaching out to your neighbours, including the court. And in God's time and under His guidance that vision has now become a reality. The credit for that doesn't belong to any one individual. Rather, it has been a collective effort from those who have been so faithful in prayer over the years to those who have pushed at doors until they opened. For my part, the work I have done has been made easier by virtue of the support, encouragement and friendship I have been shown by friends at Oxford Place. But the time has now come for me to move on. My secular work has taken me to the West Midlands - new people, new challenges, new opportunities. But the challenge for you continues. What does God want you to do next? Perhaps it is time for a new vision.
As I move on I take with me memories of five very happy years as part of the church family at Oxford Place. And for that I send you all my deepest thanks.
Clifford Bellamy
November 2004
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