June 2026 (taken from The Link Magazine)

The road to good health has been a bit bumpier than anticipated but truly feel that I am now on the road to being well and feeling well.  A very salutary lesson for moi.  A huge thank you to you all for your good wishes for a recovery (lol God obviously had the master plan in making me rest up – I always say he has a good sense of humour as far as I am concerned!!)  The surprise was how happy I have been just to potter at home to the point when I thought I could easily become a hermit!!! So time to get myself in hand and say time to get up and out. My family were all extremely worried…..and the reason they were particularly worried?  Lol I admitted I didn’t even have the energy to knit!!  The lovely spring weather has been exactly what was needed and time just sitting outside in the sun – amazingly restorative.

Early May saw Lucy and I authorized at Chichester Cathedral with the very lovely Bishop Ruth who spoke so inspiringly to all 112 of us across the diocese.  A huge thank you to Simon for being my very lovely chauffeur enabling me to rest on the journey.  The sun shone, everyone was smiling and a most joyful service.  The right setting for the hymn “God is working his purpose out” although no complaint about the very positive hymns that were chosen and everyone sung with gusto. Thank you to Father John for his support for us on our journey. 

Meanwhile we plod on with the Bishops Certificate.  Its quite intense.  A bit overwhelming especially when a few of our group can quote chapter and verse EVERY session.  That’s not my strength – and I began to feel a bit inadequate if I am honest.  Should I even be there?  Does the joy of the Lord shine out from the three knowledgeables?  Not really.  But the knowledge I am acquiring is so awesome, bringing the old testament to life – in a time scale relatable to earths timeline.  Irrefutable proof our lord lived amongst us 2000 years ago.  How insignificant we are in the great story but the fact through it all is that we are loved for who we are – every single one of us, flaws and all. 

Then last Sunday Father David preached on mental health.  In the past such a taboo subject – who ever admitted to mental health issues when we were young unless it was war trauma.  Dementia labelled as being a bit gaga – that was it! No treatment, no cure.  I welcome open conversations about mental health.  At the end of the day everyone has mental health – just like physical health and some have great mental health, some great physical health.  For sure we need better understandings of both.  No need to beat yourself up because you are having a wobbly day – because GOD LOVES YOU JUST AS YOU ARE.  If you can then reach out to someone through understanding then you are turning that wobble into a strength.  Thank you Father David for opening a conversation. 

At the beginning of May saw Holy Cross flying the flag high in the town in the form of the Spring Festival.  So much support!! A field filled with stalls – with Very Chatty flying the cake flag and Daz, Simon and Elizabeth manfully cooking burgers for a solid 4 plus hours.  The weather held, the dog show was amazing.  Good will swirling around the field.  Well done to you all.

June sees Uckfield Concert Brass coming back for a Hymns and Pimm’s midway through the month.  Please put this in the diary as it is a most joyful evensong.  Some help with setting up, serving, making and baking would be great please.  See me……Also an afternoon tea raising funds for Andy Wooler to help fund his next trip.

That’s it for now.  Thank you again for the love and support. A get well to JP  and Jane Gross for their recent ops.

That’s it.

See you soon.

Love Dee xx

Ps I still have some little wooden crosses, so if you haven’t got one, or know someone who needs one, let me know.