GOD'S HAND IS STILL RESTING ON CHRIS AND JEM HUGHES
 Incredibly, it is more than a decade since Chris and Jem Hughes left us on the un-forgettable morning that Jem looked out of the then Rectory breakfast room window in Dene Road to see the usual school-run traffic grind to a halt, and the front of an enormous removal van displaying the letters AB (Aberdeen) come into view….causing her heart to miss a beat. They had been expecting it the following day!!
Thus ended 14 challenging and exciting years in “Ashtead’s fast lane”, as Jem puts it, for a very differently paced ministry in two Scottish Episcopal churches, fortunately blessed with the warmest Rectory they had ever lived in, in the coldest climate they had ever experienced. Witness to this was the occasion when the snow was deep enough to hide their spaniel in a temperature of -17 degrees. But Ballater was, for them, the most beautiful Highland village, nestling under Lochnagar beside the majestic River Dee, and bliss for cycling.
Three days before their departure from Ashtead in 1998, their son, Nick, married Susie and seven months later their daughter Helen, married Simon. Now they have four gorgeous grandchildren. Henry (8) and Isobella (5) with Helen and Simon, live in London. Jake and Summer (5) are in Suffolk with Nic and Susie.
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Ballater, Scotland
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When Chris retired it was, - given God’s amazing hand in the affairs of man, - not surprising that he returned to Devon, bringing him full circle to where he was born, and where he began his ministry no more than 6 miles away.
 Jem’s watch-phrase seems to be God is full of surprises. “I thought retirement would mean more time”, says Jem, “but it doesn’t seem to have worked out like that. I continue to enjoy contact with young families through helping with the monthly Family Service, and being involved with Christian Listening courses, thanks to my initial introduction, in Ashtead, to the Acorn Healing Foundation. Chris”, she adds, “despite being somewhat restricted after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago, continues to preach and takes services when invited.” Apparently nothing has changed his taste for fishing and golf, which he still practises. “In addition”, Jem tells us, “he ranches the garden, growing vegetables and planting beautiful shrubs and flowers.”
Looking back at their time in Ashtead, she sums it all up by saying, “There is not enough space to list all the benefits we experienced in Ashtead. Chris found working with clergy and lay teams both at St George’s and St Giles extremely stimulating. He learnt much about worship during this time and appreciated greatly the constant prayer-backing he received for his ministry, while facilities at the RAC provided him with relaxation and exercise. For me came opportunities in the early years to continue local radio’s ‘ Thought for the Day’, and later to work part-time learning new skills in a large office in Epsom. I will never forget the great storm of 1987 that destroyed many old trees up at St. Giles and could, but for God’s grace, have taken out the verger and churchwarden.
 There was the excitement of many Alpha groups and parish weekends away together; that extraordinary time of “Refreshment” from God that went on in both churches for four months one summer and the beginnings of the St George’s project, and Chris remembers, with gratitude, the wonderful opportunity he had to travel during his sabbatical.”
They are particularly thankful to Ashtead for the tremendous support and encouragement Nic and Helen received particularly through Moderns under the leadership of several talented youth workers. Both say how important this was to them during their teen years and still keep up with a number of special friends. Chris and Jem often refer to the privilege they had of so much contact with the many lovely young people during their time at Ashtead. “We rejoice as we receive news of them describing how God leads them onwards”, Jem says.
Jem’s closing message to our church is, “We send our love and continue to give thanks to God for all the blessings He gave us with you and continues to do so now.”
We could hardly forget the amazing journey we all took with them while they were with us and gladly return our love them and gratitude to God that he sent them to us.
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