On Sunday after Mass we bade farewell to Jake and Laurens, who have worked in the parish this year as Pastoral Assistants.
They have undertaken varied and diverse work during their year with us, including playing a full part in the liturgical life of the parish and weekly chaplaincy at both Croydon University Hospital and Croydon College. They have also assisted the clergy with pastoral visiting, with our Sunday School provision, and with the Croydon Churches' Winter Night Shelter.
We are extremely grateful to Jake and Laurens for their hard work with us this year and wish them well for their future ministries. Laurens is leaving us to pursue further education, and in a few weeks Jake will take up his new post as Verger in a parish in Central London.
Our particular thanks are due to The Bishop of Croydon and the Croydon Episcopal Area for their generous financial support for the Pastoral Assistant Scheme, and also to the trustees of the Number One Trust.
We wish Jake and Laurens every success and assure them of our prayers. Meanwhile, we look forward to welcoming two new Pastoral Assistants to the parish in September, Will and Michael, and we remember them in our prayers as they prepare to join us.