About me: Born in Bishop Burton at the beginning of the war, I came to live in Beverley, age five, enjoying a happy family life. At age eighteen I started nurse training at Leeds General infirmary, and whilst there I attended a Billy Graham film at the Town Hall, which had such an impact, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.

At age 23, I returned to Beverley to look after my father and two younger brothers when my mother died suddenly, taking a post as staff midwife at Beverley Westwood Hospital which I loved. I met Dennis Lumb, and we married ten months later. He also had given his life to God through a Billy Graham Crusade at Manchester Football Ground in 1961, and our faith was central to our lives.

God led us to work for twelve years for the London City Mission, starting in Highbury, Islington, then in the slums of Holloway, and finally in Clapham Park. This challenging but rewarding time saw us organising and teaching children in Sunday School, and running an after school club in our flat. I returned to part-time midwifery, balancing parish work (a constant stream of diverse issues and visitors) with family life, and found being a vicar’s wife was a big learning curve! However, there were many blessings, and I have gained so much from meeting lots of lovely friends. A number even turned up at my surprise birthday party earlier this year.

Whilst at St. Stephens, Clapham Park Dennis found himself working for a vicar he had previously worked with in Hull. He had come full circle! Dennis now felt called to the Anglican Ministry, and the family moved onto Campus at Oak Hill Theological College in North London. After Ordination, Dennis did five years curacy in Wolverhampton, then became vicar of three country villages in Shropshire and I continued to work part time in Wolverhampton.

We spent five years on the coast of Lincolnshire, and some time back in the Midlands, before both of us retiring to Beverley in 2003.

Our connection with St. Mary’s
Dennis and I retired to a Housing Association complex almost next door to the church, and we immediately felt at home in St. Mary’s. I personally was so grateful for the support of so many when Dennis died suddenly a year later.

What brings me joy?
First and foremost my faith in Christ – the One who has never let me down, and has helped me in many difficult times. My lovely family of three grown up children and five grandchildren give me great joy, and also my Church Family who are very dear to me.

What am I passionate about?
I suppose my greatest passion is to see people coming to a faith in Christ and it is a humbling experience and a privilege to be part of, even in a small way of being used by God. I also love working in my small garden, as I see God in nature and the open countryside.

What encourages my faith?
When I see answers to prayer: I am in the St. Mary’s Prayer Chain Team, and it is such a privilege to pray for people who are sick or in trouble of any kind. Together, the 18 of us in the team, have seen some wonderful answers to prayer. We are all there to support anyone who needs our help. I find it very inspiring to see the Church growing in numbers and in faith in God, and it encourages me greatly to see the LOVE shown in so many ways in our church of St. Mary’s.

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A simple form of evening prayer and candle lighting *

At St Mary's we would like to invite you to join us in a short time of prayer every day at 7pm. It involves lighting a candle and placing it in the window and then saying the following prayers as individuals or as households.  You can join with others in these prayers on our Facebook page.

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.

O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

The following may be listened to What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong

The reading for the day (see below)**

The candle is lit and the following prayer is said
Heavenly Father, accept this burning candle as a sign of faith and love.
Like this candle, bring light into our world
Even as this candle is lit may we know your presence
and be consumed in the warmth of your love.
In your mercy, Lord hear our prayer.

In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night watch looks for the morning
so do we look for you, O Christ.

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace. Amen.


The readings for the next two weeks

Wednesday 26th  Jesus Calms the storm:- Luke 8:22–25 
Thursday 27th     Jesus walks on water:- Mark 6:45–56
Friday 28th           Jesus heals a woman:-  Matthew 5.24b-34
Saturday 29th      Jesus heals a girl:- Mark 5.21-24,35

Monday 31st  
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they’ll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me. John 17:21-23a, The Message
September
Tuesday 1st  
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:14, The Message
Thursday 3rd  
Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. 1 John 4:7-9, The Message
Friday 5th            
We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. Colossians 1:15-17, The Message
Saturday 6th      
Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Romans 5:9, 10, The Message
Monday 7th 
God . . . decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? Romans 8:29-31, The Message
Tuesday 8th
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 The Message