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| Village Person - Lynne Fawns |
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Originally, I come from Hull in Yorkshire, but have lived most of my life in London and now live in St Peter's Vicarage with my husband Martyn and my grown up children Rebecca and Ben. I went to local schools in Hull and like everyone else, I had good times and bad times but on the whole it was a very positive experience. During my teens I wanted to work behind the cameras in the film industry but as the reality started to bite I dropped that and went into nursing at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, where I worked for many years. During my working life I've also been a Civil Servant. I have been a Christian most of my life although I didn't choose to be a priest Ð God did: if you had told me 15 years ago that I would be a vicar I would have laughed.
I moved here to be Vicar of London Colney and the Parish Church of St Peter's from a parish in Hillingdon, West London, 3 years ago. I firmly believe God called me to serve in London Colney and I do feel very blessed to be here. This is a wonderful village. The part of my work that gives me the most satisfaction is meeting so many people coupled with the fact that I have been given the privilege of standing beside, and walking with, so many of you at the most important moments in your life.
Although St Peter's is a lovely Grade II listed building, which is over 180 years old, the real church consists of the people. Again I feel very blessed to lead in such a wonderful, faithful, fun and vibrant community. St Peter's is involved in village life in many ways. Individually and corporately we are visible (as well as behind the scenes) in many aspects of the life of this community. Whether people realise it or not the people of this village are prayed for every day. If anyone ever wants something particularly prayed for or a candle lit for a specific need then they only have to place a note through my door or phone me. Another great service to London Colney is the maintenance of the churchyard. This is maintained by St Peter's volunteers and at St Peter's expense and I believe we should feel proud and thankful that it is one of the best kept churchyards in the land.
I see God as the Creator who wants a personal relationship with you. He is the One who sees into your heart, loves you personally and offers a wonderful plan for the world and indeed your life. If you really want to get to know what God is like and what plans he has for your life and the life of this world, then we get to know Him through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. We get to know Christ through the worship, prayer, teaching and the support of His Church. Knowing God through Jesus - yes, is a challenge and it involves a lifelong journey of change, growth and transformation but it is a journey that will illuminate your life in such wonderful ways almost beyond your imagining.
When I'm not working then very often, I'm just chilling out. I like walking, reading, listening to music and socialising. I enjoy dining with friends and no matter what exotic food is placed before me or how wonderfully any food has been
prepared, I don't think there's anything more satisfying than a perfectly cooked, thick medium rare steak with a wonderful glass (or two) of Shiraz. I love to chill out by watching TV as I find it a real escape. I never miss an episode of "Law and Order" and I'm perhaps, "Law and Order: Criminal Intent's" greatest British fan. Although TV is my chosen form of entertainment, I listen to my radio when I'm cooking and in my car and my dial moves between XFM, Magic and Virgin. Sadly, I'm a bit bogged down with the Christmas preparations at the moment to be reading for pleasure. After Christmas I shall finish "The Idiot" and begin "The Devil Wears Prada" - you could say the sublime to the ridiculous. My favourite book of all time is "Jude the Obscure" by Thomas Hardy. A really controversial and hard hitting book for it's day and beautifully written. Sadly, I don't go to the cinema much; I tend to wait for the DVD to come out. I'm one of Amazon's best customers.
I really have no ambitions as such, but I have things I still hope for. These are hopes with regards to the future of my family, St Peter's, this village and if it doesn't seem too cliched, this world. I believe one of the great messages of the Christian faith is that we are offered hope, in all its shapes and forms. We know that God has the power to transform and that through our lives of faith and guided by the power of the Holy Spirit we can in time make those hopes a reality.
May I take this opportunity to wish all the people of London Colney a blessed, joyful and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
Lynne Fawns
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