A Few Words from Hilary Dalziel
Our final summer guest blog comes from Hilary Dalziel, who has served as a pastor and Assistant Site Leader on the Catford site for many years. As many of you know, she will be retiring at the beginning of September, and she and her husband William will be moving out of London to be near their family. Since they arrived at King’s 17 years ago, William and Hilary have served King’s faithfully and wholeheartedly. William has been a close friend to me, has served as an elder and trustee, and on many occasions has brought wise counsel to me and many others. Hilary is a gifted leader, pastor and teacher, and has made a huge contribution to many people’s lives. They will be missed by us all. On Sunday September 8th, at the Catford site, we will have the opportunity to thank them both and pray for them as they embark on this next season of life. Today, as they prepare to say goodbye, Hilary shares some thoughts and reflections about her 16 years of ministry at King’s.
It’s with a mixture of joy and sadness that I write this post. I am retiring from my pastoral role at King’s on September 8th after 16 years. So much has happened in that time, and so many people have flowed through the doors of the Catford building where I’m based. We have experienced multiple meetings, the launching out of the Lee and Downham sites and then the Beckenham site - many goodbyes that have resulted in growth and the development of new leaders as gaps have been filled.
This year has also been a year of growth and change as Lee has started a second meeting and Catford changed its meeting times to 10am and 12pm. It has stretched some of our teams - kids, youth and welcome particularly - but it has been amazing to see the meetings settle to a very even attendance in each. This means we now have space for new people at both Catford meetings. It hasn’t been without challenge, as people have moved meetings and adapted to the times. Some of our teams could do with more volunteers as September busyness comes around. Parking remains an issue, as more people are leaving from the first meeting at the same time that people are arriving for the second. But these are exciting problems of growth - tens of new people have been added, especially young adults in their 20s.
What a joy to see people respond to salvation, baptism and to be filled with the Spirit over the last year. Inner transformation of people’s hearts is what it’s all about, but this summer the site is also going through a physical transformation! Building works have begun to renew the roof at Catford and refurbish the whole downstairs of the building. I will sadly not be there in the autumn for the big reveal, but I’m sure it will be a wonderfully inviting space.
As I move on and say goodbye on September 8th, I have every confidence in the God who will keep working with his people in Catford, with those who are like living stones being built into a spiritual house on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. King’s, keep building on Him!
Hilary Dalziel is a pastor and Assistant Site Leader at the Catford site. She is married to William, and they have three grown up children and eight grandchildren. In September she will be retiring and moving to be near family.
