Dear Saints,
This issue of our Magazine is a very important moment in the life of St Mary’s.
We are nearing the end of an era. Soon we may be speaking of a before Blair and after Blair period. This is in itself strange because not so many of our present chaplaincy members have a face-to-face experience with Blair. Yet, he has been so present in the life of our community for the past two decades. Blair Charles, who played many roles in the life of St Mary’s parish, moved with his wife Marilyn from The Netherlands to Wales many years ago and as far as I know or have experienced did not set a foot in our chapel since.
So how is this possible at all? I would say it is about love. While living in The Netherlands, Blair has been an integral part of the chaplaincy and developed a great love for St Mary’s and its worshipping Christian community. Loving is expressed in many ways, of which a sense of commitment to that which you love is a key expression of that love. It is also seen in the time and effort one puts in ensuring the health and growth of the loved one or thing.
Our monthly Magazine has been a witness to all of us of Blair’s commitment to St Mary’s and ensuring the continued footprint of the Christian community here in Twente. We are grateful to him for that faithful expression of his love for us. He has kept this key aspect of our life going and now the time has come that he is handing the responsibility for the Magazine back to us. His are big, loving, strong yet flexible shoes to fill. He has shown us the way by walking with us and now we are at a fork in the road.
Blair has found a new community in Wales where he is spreading the love of God as only he can. We are finally relieving him of this ministry for us in Twente. This issue (July 2026) of our Magazine is Blair’s final edition. Thank you, Blair, we thank God for you.
We will be focussing on the flexibility of the shoes that needs to be filled in this ministry. As from August a new team is responsible for what we will refer to as our Monthly Bulletin, of which one of the Church Wardens, a member of the congregation and the Chaplain take the responsibility.
We have been shown by Blair how this ministry is a work of love expressed in faithfulness and commitment. Jesus said to his disciples; “Love one another as I have loved you, if there is this love among you all will know that you are my disciples.”
Thank you, Blair, for recognising us as fellow disciples and loving us.
May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Yours in Christ as always,
Jacque