Rev'd Karen's Letter

Hello everyone!

I thought it may be a good idea to take this opportunity to introduce myself before my Institution and Induction on 27th June. I am very much looking forward to being the Vicar of the United Benefice of Balderstone, Mellor and Samlesbury, of getting to know you all and of working alongside you as we serve Christ, one another and our parishes.

I thought you may like to know a little more about me and my family before we move house in early June and before I take up post.

I am currently the Assistant Curate of Ribchester, Hurst Green and Mitton, here in the beautiful Ribble Valley; I am very pleased that I won’t be going far and will be remaining in the Whalley Deanery. Prior to moving to Hurst Green 3 years ago following training as an Ordinand at St Mellitus Northwest Theological College, I had spent my whole life living on the Fylde Coast, being born in Blackpool and living in Thornton-Cleveleys.

I am married to Stuart and we have a 21 year old son Xander and a 3 year old Springer Spaniel called Callie. We are excited about settling into village life and I hope to be meeting as many of you as soon as possible across the 3 parishes. You may already have seen us, as we have been over in Mellor a few times, preparing St Mary’s Vicarage to be our home. Please do say Hello and introduce yourselves if you see us ‘South of the River.’

This is certainly a busy time and a time of transition and it is perhaps appropriate that we still find ourselves in the Easter Season; a time of resurrection hope and transformed lives. A time where we continue to say Alleluia Alleluia Christ is Risen as we look forward to Pentecost, the birth of the Church and the empowering outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

I have been reflecting on the theme of transformation a lot recently. As Jesus’ broken body was transformed into a new resurrected body, my prayer is that, like a caterpillar that becomes a pupa in order to transition into a butterfly, may we know the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as we continue to be changed into the likeness of Christ.

As St Paul reminds us: “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

With love and Blessings. Rev’d Karen

NB: As mentioned above, the planned installation date for Karen Herschell is Sunday 27th of June in the afternoon, with a short service at Samlesbury and Balderstone, followed by a longer service at Mellor. Further details to follow

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