Claire Biggs

Greetings all,

Goodbyes are always emotional and the last couple of weeks has certainly been that!. I have said goodbye to so many groups of people with whom I have built friendships and relationships in faith and beyond. I have been fortunate to work alongside some lovely colleagues and volunteers and you have always amazed me with your enthusiasm to help out when needed, from school visits to collecting for charity and appeals to reading my Christmas chocolate advent reflections or helping with tea and coffee at many an event.

You have all been a huge support to me. During my time in post, there have been many changes across the circuit and there will be many more to come. Change is inevitable, it will happen and we can either embrace it or moan about it (I know I do both) but if we choose to embrace it we can walk in the faith that God has this. He will guide and He will protect. So as I step forward into the unknown and make that brave leap of faith, I will do so with love and encouragement of a circuit who have nurtured and supported me and with the protection that God will guide me. I am also comforted by the well known words in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and those of Deuteronomy 31:6.

I have some wonderful memories of this role which I would like to share –

  • learning to Zoom in March 2020 and not realizing how much it would change our ministry not least how many times we would say – ‘you’re on mute’

  • My lovely helpers and children at Full Of Spirits sibling group and many a busy Monday afternoon hearing about their adventures.

  • The community at Lifted Spirits who allowed me to access their space and listen to their stories.

  • Welcoming an entire school to Wesley over two days and delivering Christmas in 7 diferent ways!

  • Welcoming the Brier special school to Kingswinford and showing them round the church and learning about Christianity and more recently seeing the ‘real’ John Wesley aka Alan when Bromley Hills came to visit.

  • Having my nails done and judging the talent show at New Road Youth Club

  • Being part of Ignite at Brierley Hill and creating the creation story

  • Scratch nativity at Overend and getting to play an angel!!!!

  • An endless supply of cofee and cake and a warm welcome wherever I visited

  • Becoming AFC rep and EDI trainer because I made eye contact with Alan at the wrong time (only joking – its been a pleasure)

  • Leading worship for AFC across the circuit

  • Delivering care packages to teachers during Covid – bags of tea, cofee, biscuits and prayers

  • Squeezing an obscene amount of ice cream sauce on countless ice creams at holiday clubs (and giving extra sprinkles)

  • Being asked if I was an angel because I worked in a church – I am!

  • Being asked if Brierley Hill Methodist Church was called St. Claires because I was always there (I like the idea of this)

  • Weekends at the Christian Women's fellowship with Rev Chris, Anita Payne and Elaine

  • Shine Church and everything it stands for, in particular Jacob and his sunshine stickers and Marshall and Alex and their love of red vehicles

  • Stargazing with Martyn Filsak

  • Becoming a film star during Covid for pre recorded services at the direction of the CTC

  • The strange look from the checkout girl in Aldi when I purchased 70 oranges in my first year doing Christingle

  • 90 people at Shine Easter and running over to Asda to purchase more chocolate eggs because we didn’t have enough – what a problem to have!

  • Winning the quiz at CLT retreat last year (we won’t mention this year!)

Just a few of the many fantastic memories of my time in the Vale of Stour. Thank you for sharing them with me.

Finally, I want to take the opportunity to say thank you for all the lovely cards, gifts, well wishes and messages I have received since announcing my move to pastures new. Everyone has been so kind. I promise not to be a stranger and hope I can pop back now and again especially as I intend to remain in worship at Overend Methodist Church but for now…….its goodbye and God Bless.

Claire Biggs