{"content":[{"text":"From the \n Rector","bbox":{"left":0.532698,"top":0.08653,"width":0.289435,"height":0.14000300000000002}},{"text":"It's a funny old job - stipendiary priest (i.e. a full-time, paid incumbent) as \n it is transient by its very nature. We become (very quickly) part of a \n community, we share the joys and sorrows of people's lives, develop \n relationships and friendships, and then we are called to move on and \n start all over again in a new place, leaving them all behind. In some ways \n life would be so much easier if that wasn't the case! But that's the point \n really, we aren't called to an easy life - we are called to serve Jesus and \n his church, and priesthood is sacrificial. We know that when we sign up!","bbox":{"left":0.107781,"top":0.287349,"width":0.783375,"height":0.171404}},{"text":"This will be my last magazine article 'From the Rectory' and it, naturally, \n prompts reflection over the last seven years. St Leonard’s was described \n to me as a ‘can do’ church – and that continues to be the case. As I said \n soon after my appointment - St Leonard's is built on firm foundations - \n and in these seven years we have extended the work done by those who \n have gone before us and we are well placed to continue that; we are \n growing and thriving. I say frequently that you should be proud of the \n ethos here of generous hospitality, obedient discipleship and willingness \n to live out your faith. St Leonard's is truly a unique place to be - and I \n shall miss you all, but I shall take with me the things you have taught me \n and the love you have shown us. I have been very proud to be part of \n such a vibrant, willing, generous, spiritual community who have shared \n their lives with us. The community of St Leonard’s has welcomed Martin \n and me, supported us and rejoiced with us and our family as we have \n grown in number, which has been heart-warming and for which we thank \n you.","bbox":{"left":0.107781,"top":0.476563,"width":0.7840269999999999,"height":0.346219}},{"text":"And what to the future I hear you thinking? Well, a time of vacancy \n (apparently we aren’t supposed to use the term interregnum any more) \n can be unsettling. I know, I have been in parishes when they have","bbox":{"left":0.107781,"top":0.840264,"width":0.782511,"height":0.062205999999999984}},{"text":"3","bbox":{"left":0.491182,"top":0.928003,"width":0.013253999999999988,"height":0.018769999999999953}}],"images_bbox":[{"left":0.081192,"top":0.07038,"width":0.394924,"height":0.212349}],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[{"left":0.081192,"top":0.07038,"width":0.394924,"height":0.212349}]}