Sunday June 14 was a very special day in the life of St Stephen’s Church, Soundwell. This was the day when Lisa the vicar was going to preach her last Sermon at this church, and it was to an amazing congregation that had filled every available seat.
Although it was a sad time because Lisa was leaving us, it was also a joyful time as it enabled us to look back and celebrate all the wonderful things she had done, and the fun things we had all shared together. There were picnics and games in the church garden, the setting up of the Easter story around the path, stalls and tea on the grass, and gardening sessions.
It was ten years ago when Lisa officially became the vicar of St Stephen’s, which was a wonderful blessing. Although new as a vicar, Lisa was already well known to church members as she was born and brought up in the Soundwell area, where she regularly attended the church and took on the office duties.
Some time later she felt a calling to explore Ministry work, and thus eventually became a fully qualified vicar, spending some time at the Cathedral and at Horfield Church, before a vacancy came up at St Stephen’s Church, which she was able to fill. Lisa brought fresh ideas to a church that had been waiting a year to get a new vicar installed.
It was her past experience working as a ‘holiday rep’ that certainly helped when it came to fun and laughter, as on a dark miserable Sunday she would bring the congregation to life by doing all the movements to a particularly lively song. Children also enjoyed these songs, and it was from there that Lisa worked toward getting a now growing Youth Church officially up and running. She also spent time going into the local junior schools working with young children and teachers, who then would visit the church to understand just what it was.
As more children came into the church Lisa became more aware of neurodiversity, so she worked toward having regular sessions for these children and their parents.
Lisa always had time for everyone, what ever their age, she would visit the sick and the housebound, and bring a light into their lives.
The ten years that Lisa was with us were amazing, and she has been an inspiration to everyone, so we hope and pray that St. Stephen’s Church can continue to grow in her absence.
Gill Mayo, Church Warden