A SUPPORTIVE vicar has bid farewell to her congregation before moving on to new challenges.

Members of the Bro Ystumanner Ministry Area bid goodbye to Rev Janet Fletcher, Associate Vicar of the Area, at her farewell service and reception at St Cadfan’s Church, Tywyn, last month.

Rev Janet led a congregation of members from the five churches in Bro Ystumanner in an afternoon of hymns, readings and prayers which had special meaning for her.

She will shortly move on to a new role in the Bro Enlli Ministry Area and in Aberdaron.

Rev Janet has been Associate Vicar in Bro Ystumanner Ministry Area since January 2015 and has looked after its churches during the recent interregnum following the retirement of Rev Richard Vroom, before the arrival of Rev Dr Ruth Hansford in March this year.

At the service Rev Ruth presented Janet with gifts from members of the Area, including a picture of a prayer decorated in the Celtic style from Lindisfarne.

Rev Ruth paid tribute to Janet, saying: “Janet has worked with the churches in this Ministry Area through a time of great change over the last few years and has helped put in place the structures and ethos required for the continued mission and ministry of our churches.

“Even though I have only worked with her for a short time, I will certainly miss her friendship, advice, and support. We are very grateful for all she has given in her time here, and pray that God will bless her in her new roles.”

Once installed in Bro Enlli and Aberdaron, Rev Janet Fletcher will be working three days a week as a vicar in that Ministry Area and three days as spirituality officer for the Diocese of Bangor.

This will include a look at pilgrimage and pilgrim sites in the diocese.

She said: “Thank you so much for the gifts and cards I received before and at my farewell service.

“I will be sorry to leave Bro Ystumanner, but feel called to make this move.”

Rev Janet Fletcher will be licensed at St Hywyn’s Church in Aberdaron on Thursday 6 September at 6pm.

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