Kenny hangs up his Cassock!
A well kennt face around St Oswald’s some years ago has announced
his retirement from active service(s). We thought you’d be interested in
reading his letter to his current parishioners and am sure that all at St
O’s wish him better health and an enjoyable retirement!
A
s you are all aware, I have been off sick for some time now, although I
have been popping up here and there as I have felt able, and with
occasional permissions from the Diocese and my GP. It is important
for me to explain my absences, and to be very clear about my current
position.
Some years ago, the St Augustine’s
people will remember me having some
heart problems, and I have been
suffering for some time, in a controlled
way, from Atrial Fibrillation. This means,
basically, an irregular heartbeat and the
racing of my heart level up to 160+bpm.
As I say, up until the beginning of last
year, that had been brought under
control and was manageable. The last
fifteen months or so, however, have been extremely stressful for me, not
being helped by difficulties I was experiencing with Food for Thought and
how that was impacting on the life of St Augustine’s.
My AF returned for short periods but was exacerbated by deep depression
which my GP considers now to be chronic. Stress and anxiety have,
because of this, escalated, and have had a debilitating effect on my AF, my
life and my ministry. That has been no secret to those who know me well. It
was suggested by my GP, and supported by the Diocese, that I apply for
early retirement for Medical reasons, and I did so in January 2019.
After gaining another doctor’s opinion, the Scottish Episcopal Church have
granted me the early retirement that I requested, and in effect, I am now, to
all intents and purposes, retired! However, I have been advised by the Dean,
that I must still give the Vestries of both Charges, and also the Diocese,
three months‟ notice of my retiral date.
My Letter of Resignation will be in the hands of both Vestries and the Dean
on January 31st, the day before my 64th birthday. My official retiral date will
be on April 30th, 2019. It must be noted, however, that I will be considered
unfit for work until and beyond that date. I will still be Rector of both Charges
until then, and with Diocesan permission, you will still see me around until
that date, as much as my current health allows.
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