November 2020 Introductions and Remembering

Revd. Karen Rizzello

Dear Reader,

Can I begin this newsletter by introducing myself? My name is Reverend Karen Rizzello and I am the new Associate Priest for the Lyneham and Woodhill benefice. I am also lucky enough to be living at the vicarage in Lyneham which gives me a wonderful opportunity to meet you as neighbours.

I served my curacy in the Whitton Benefice, which is in the neighbouring Marlborough Deanery, and I was trained for ministry at Sarum College in Salisbury.  Whitton is a rural Benefice with 6 churches including the villages of Aldbourne, Axford, Baydon, Chilton Foliat, Froxfield and Ramsbury. 

Although I moved into the Lyneham vicarage at the end of July I haven’t been out very much.  I have been recovering from some planned surgery to the hip which unfortunately was affected by medical complications from other issues making me vulnerable during the Covid19 epidemic and keeping me out of circulation for a lot longer than expected.  

As I am writing this letter in early October I am expecting to have returned to public ministry by mid-October.  I will be gradually increasing my hours to my usual part-time commitment of Sunday and two other days each week.

In these times of Covid19 it is hard to predict how November will be for all of us.  The government is telling us we are entering a second spike and so we can expect that our All Souls and Remembrance services will be different to those of previous years. But be reassured, we will remember and mark these important dates in some way.

I cannot help reflecting on this year and our need for remembrance as individuals and families. We will remember in the context of our war heroes but also for all those we have lost over the past year and in previous years to Covid19 and other illnesses. For those who have been unable to be with their dying friend or relative this time will be particularly challenging. In lockdown we have all been dealing with the pain of separation and isolation as individuals and as a community.

But take heart.  Things will get better; we will get through this time of trial.  We will find a vaccination for Covid19.  We will come out of lockdown. Spring will follow Winter and the Sun will shine again.

I take comfort from the book of Isaiah; we are assured of God’s tender love and faithfulness, ‘He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is.40v11).

God Bless, Revd. Karen