Going back

Ed and I ventured back to the old patch yesterday. Not quite to my old parishes, but to the big church in the town nearby. My friendship with the rural dean has continued, and we meet every six weeks or so for lunch together. He invited me back to his church to talk about my novel and sign some books, then to preach at Evensong afterwards.

"Not a sermon," he said. "Just tell us about what it feels like to be a retired priest." So I did.

I met again lots of lovely people I knew before I left, and enjoyed catching up on all the news. Then at Evensong, a stranger came and sat next to me - well, it was the only seat left. Since he came in late we shared a hymn book, but imagine my surprise when the rural dean introduced him after the service as my successor in my old parishes.

He seemed very nice, and we had a good chat. He's really enjoying the area - how could he fail to? it's lovely - and the people, so that was good to hear. I thought it was so nice of him to come and meet me.

So all in all, a good day. Nothing like meeting old friends again and making new ones, is there?