Page 10 - Demo

NEWS
Do we ever forget our childhood home?
Having grown up in Thrapston I always love coming back to visit. Despite moving away to university at 18, and even though my grandparents and parents have passed away and most of my family moved on,
Across between 1990-1994. My daughter Isabelle was also christened at St James in 2003. It was such a joy to approach the church at the end of my journey, having reflected on
I still have a few relatives to come ‘home’ to from time to time.
Having grown up in Thrapston I always love coming back to visit
and taken in the sights and buildings, although much changed, that formed so much of my time growing up – the primary and then middle school,
St John Ambulance hall where I
was a member for many years, the newsagents (then James’ Newsagents) where I worked as a Saturday girl, the medical centre where my mum worked, Ben’s Chippy and the former site of
In 2012 I embarked on a 10 year
challenge – I was turning 40 and I
set myself the task of completing
10 different challenges for various
different charities over 10 years in
an attempt to raise £40,000. Over
the years I’ve trekked deserts and
canyons, run marathons and ultramarathons, cycled continents and swam freezing lochs
to raise funds. The last 12 months of covid restrictions have slightly altered my plans for my final challenge. However, determined not to be beaten by a global pandemic, I signed
up to complete a virtual pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago – 774km of walking, running or cycling during March & April. Due to restrictions most of my walks have taken place in and around North Yorkshire where I have lived for 19 years with my husband Matt and our two children Isabelle and Joe. The
Thrapston Warehousing where I worked in the summer holidays at home from university, and many more.
On July 3rd this year I will be ending my teaching career to be ordained at Ripon Cathedral and will move to serve as an Assistant Curate in Ripon. I can’t think of a better way to prepare for this next big adventure than a walk down memory lane in Thrapston.
I am very grateful to the many people, teachers, friends, family and church family
at St James, recognising that many of them may no longer be with us, who over the years
real Camino ends at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostella where it is believed the remains of the Apostle St James are buried. It seemed only right, therefore, that I should end my own Camino on 30 April in my childhood town and at the church bearing the name of the Apostle – St James’ Church, Thrapston.
I love living in Yorkshire – but Thrapston will always have a piece of my heart
have shared their gifts, passions, time and witness to nurture my faith and love of life and make me the person I am today. We don’t always know the difference that sharing our faith story or our life story can make, but we can be confident that it has an impact on shaping and nurturing others. I believe God uses our witness and our kindness powerfully, whether it’s serving others
I attended St James’ Church from
a very young age - my mum Margaret was an active member of the worshipping community there. Much of my early faith journey has its roots in this church. It was at St James Church that I was confirmed, married in 1998, held the funerals of both my parents, brother & grandparents, attended Sunday school, youth group and had my first taste of pilgrimage by being part of the St James’ team that went to Lourdes with the Catholic Church and charity
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through church, work or voluntary services or even just an encouraging word or smile. We’ve certainly all needed that more than ever during the last year.
I love living in Yorkshire – the locals even
call it God’s own county – and it certainly is beautiful. But Thrapston will always have a piece of my heart.
Michelle Lepine
(formerly Michelle King)