Thank you William and Hilary
Let me take you back 17 years to 2007. Try and picture the scene:
I walk into the church office and Carol, my PA, tells me that someone called William has left a message on the answerphone asking if he could come and see me the following day.
“William who?” I ask.
“William Dalziel,” Carol replies.
“Never heard of him!” I say.
I believe I then started to moan that I was too busy and couldn’t possibly find time to see someone I’d never heard of at such short notice. Much to my embarrassment, I soon found out I had just missed an opportunity to meet a remarkable couple who were moving to London and looking for a new church.
Fortunately for me, and for all of us at King’s, William and Hilary Dalziel weren’t put off by my less than enthusiastic response. They joined the church 17 years ago, having recently returned to the UK from Miami where they had been living. Hilary immediately began volunteering in the church office, and joined the staff team not long after that, where she has served as a pastor and Assistant Site Leader at the Catford site. William has served as an Elder and Trustee and has worked in numerous voluntary roles. As most of us at King’s will know, they truly are a remarkable couple. They are gifted, gracious and generous. They have become dear friends to me and Deb and have made a huge contribution to the King’s story.
Sadly, the time has come to say goodbye to these excellent people. Hilary officially retires at the end of this week, and they will be moving out of London to live near their family. This Sunday will be their last with us, and we will be taking the opportunity at the Catford services to thank both William and Hilary for their ministry among us. Hilary will also be speaking, so I do encourage you to make every effort to be there. Then later that day, from 4.00pm to 5.30pm, we’ll be giving them a massive King’s send off at a farewell afternoon tea. All are welcome to come along, and I look forward to seeing you there.
