In our morning service on Sunday July 29th we said farewell to Dave and Pat.
Seven members of our community took part in a specially composed blessing for these great friends of ours.
A Blessing for Dave and Pat as they leave the parish of St Luke’s West Holloway.
May God bless you on the next stage of your journey with a holy compass pointing you always to the true north of faith, hope and love.
May God bless you with a restless discomfort at easy answers and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.

May God bless you with a rich circle of friends to hold you in times of pain and dance with you in times of joy, to encircle you when the day goes wrong and guide you when the way is unclear.
May God bless you with a holy anger at all that is unfair and unjust in this good world, and a holy energy to work for freedom and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears for those who suffer from pain, rejection or loss, so that you may reach out your hands to comfort them, to transform their pain into joy.
May God bless you with just enough foolishness to believe you can make a difference in this world… and just enough wisdom to know when it’s someone else’s turn.
May God bless you with the holy presence of your love for each other, that you may always cherish a beautiful friendship with St Luke’s West Holloway… and know that the friendship does not end.
May God bless you and keep you Pat
May God bless and keep you Dave
May Her Face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God give you peace and may you share that peace wherever the road takes you.
Amen
(Written by Martin Wroe drawing on an original Four Fold Benedictine Blessing by Sister Ruth Marlene Fox, OSB (1985.)