FRIENDS OF CLAINES CHuRCH
Olwen is moving on!
The Reverend Olwen Woolcock is leaving Claines for pastures new.
Olwen celebrated her last service with us on Sunday 16th November before she starts a new post as Rector in Leicestershire.
Olwen came to Claines as a Deacon three and a half years ago. She was ordained Priest whilst at Claines and has reached out to the hearts of those in the parish during her time of Ministry with us. It is a sad day for Claines but in Olwen’s words we are “sending her out” to do God’s work and continue the use of her gifts in the parish of Hugglescote with Donnington, Ellistown and Snibston (near Coalville in Leicestershire). Olwen will be inducted to her new post on 9th December at Hugglescote.
Olwen was joined by parishioners for a farewell tea on Sunday and was presented with a cheque from grateful parishioners to help furnish her newly acquired rectory. Her husband Ray was presented with some Scottish refreshments to help see him through the move to a new house and home.
Reverend Stephen Agnew paid tribute to Olwen’s time in the parish which has been a time of great ministry and great fun also. She received presentations from the Little Fish club, which she founded and a stole was presented to her by the Sunday School. Her memories of, and happy times in the Mug House at Claines will live on as she was presented with a print of the Mug by God’s Own Pub Club.
A superb cake depicting the Churches of Claines and Hugglescote was prepared by Jean Clarke and enjoyed by all.
Olwen fully entered into our parish life and will leave a lasting legacy of fun and love. Our memorable moments include the Medieval Fayre, leading the donkey on Palm Sunday, her “Tug of War” sermon which narrowly escaped disaster, her giggling when things didn’t quite go as planned, her valiant grasp of chanting and her time in the parish stocks.
Olwen shares these fun memories but will carry with her most the times she has been welcomed into people’s lives and homes, both in sad and happy moments.
We wish Olwen every best wish for the future of her ministry, her family and her new parish and parishioners.
“We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.., ministry in ministering: the teacher in teaching; ..the giver in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate in cheerfulness”
Romans 12:6-
Reverend Olwen Woolcock with Reverend Stephen Agnew, Vicar of Claines