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Extracts from the 1991 and before editions of the Church Magazine and 'Spotlight' about people who have connections with our parish and churches.
More People 1992-1996
1997-1999
2000-2006
1991 A Sad Farewell to the Ratcliffe Family
1991 Waiting for God -Karen and Philip Herrick
A Sad Farewell to the Ratcliffe Family (June 1990 edition of the Church Magazine)
At the end of July, The Ratcliffe Family are moving from our Parish to Harpenden. Hilary and David with their children
Nicholas, Anna and Laura will leave a big hole at St. Thomas'. Hilary's mother, Muriel Cholmeley, is moving with them,
which will enlarge the hole even more.
We thank them all for what they have meant to us and pray for them to settle quickly in their new home, community and Church.
Waiting for God -Karen and Philip Herrick (October 1991 edition of the Church Magazine)
Many people have asked how we knew that Philip's new job as Ministry Coordinator was the right way forward. It is a long story and in telling I will try and explain the more recent changes God has brought about in our lives.
For as long as I have known Philip, he has always looked for an alternative career outside banking but never really known what he should be doing. As he progressed rapidly through promotions, it seemed less likely that he would leave. Yet, there came a point where he was growing more frustrated and dissatisfied with his job and the demands placed upon him. So, when the Bank insisted two years ago that we moved to Worksop, it was with great reluctance and brave faces that we left Chesterfield and many friends at St. Thomas'.
It was a difficult move and when we arrived carefully laid plans for the house fell apart. Everything seemed to be going wrong. Our new church did not seem very welcoming at first and we felt alone. I quite enjoy moving house (after 12 times I have had a bit of practice) and we busied ourselves getting the house straight, to divert our minds away from our uncertainty in God s purpose.
We knew that the move to Worksop had to be God's purpose and part of his plan for us yet we could not at first see the reasons. Everything seemed to be very dark and I would often sit in a corner in the kitchen and cry. Emma and Jonathan (then aged 2 and 1) did not know what to make of it and it would make me even more upset when they brought me tissues with Emma saying "Don't cry Mummy". It seemed as if we were totally alone and I now believe that is what God intended. For in moving to Worksop we were taken away from the security of St. Thomas'. We had both been very busy in the church but we had perhaps got out of the habit of talking to God. In taking away everything that we relied on, there was only one way we could go and that was back to God.
Our church in Worksop was very different to St. Thomas' and although we felt as if we did not fit in anywhere we certainly learnt a great deal from them. Healing, words and pictures occasionally came to members of the evening congregation and it was one such service that made me stand up and see a chink of light in the blackness that seemed to enclose me. At that service we sang a song about the need for us to allow God to wipe away our tears and be prepared to give to Him our lives of pain so that He might heal us. In the "words of Knowledge" that night were the words to "someone feeling life is very dark". God said to that person "I will restore your love for me and wipe away your tears". I knew that those words were for me and that was the beginning of the lifting of the darkness. It was also the beginning of a new relationship with God; in coming back to Him daily, and in quiet times as I listened, He spoke.
I keep a journal of what I hear and think as I read through the Bible and when I re-read that journal God was showing us the way forward if only we had noticed.
By now, Philip had begun to look at job advertisements. In June 1990 he successfully applied for the Bursar's job at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford. Much to my horror and disappointment he turned it down. Knowing how unhappy he was I could not understand why. Surely if Philip had got the job this was the right thing to be doing. But it was not to be and God was still teaching and leading us both.
The Ministry Co-ordinator's job was advertised within a month of the Oxford offer. The decision to apply was a torment and initially did not seem appropriate. Nevertheless, Philip applied but the appointment announcement in November 1990 brought many questions: Why had we moved away only to go back? Could we sell the house within the set time? Could we afford to move again? What would our families say? Out of fascination, but in fear and faith we accepted, subject to house sale.
The house did not sell - had we misunderstood God again? Philip was very depressed and all of our plans were again uncertain. Yet when we felt in despair a letter or a telephone call from someone at St. Thomas encouraged us and kept us going. The deadline was extended yet we still could not sell the house. Why wouldn't He let us come back to Chesterfield? And as I asked, the same answer would be "In My time, you are not yet ready: Look to the spring and watch for the seasons, for as they change so will you".
I had trusted God before and He always kept His promise and so I looked to the spring impatiently expecting His answer. I gave up waiting and in the deadline week, persuaded Philip to write a letter to Christopher Frith explaining that we could not take up the appointment. Philip reluctantly posted the letter. The following day we had notice that an offer for the house would be made within two days from a couple in almost perfect circumstances. Since that time in late May 1991 there have been many things to further test our persistence and patience and the house move itself was the biggest trial so far. Nothing was certain until mid August and Philip handed in his resignation from the Bank on 31 July 1991 in faith that the house sale would proceed. We exchanged contracts for sale and purchase on 13 August 1991 and moved within two weeks.
God's timing is always right - it is our impatience that is in error, yet we never really trusted His control. We are here, unpacked and almost in order but tired and a little bewildered by all that has happened. Yet what opportunities there lie ahead of us.
We haven't had a holiday yet - all plans were cancelled - so please excuse us if we are not around for a few days after the harvest celebrations - we feel as if we need it.
Karen Herrick
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