Farewell from Ross Roberts

and encouragement for nominating a new President for Life Ascending England

Due to on-going health issues, I have decided not to stand for re-election when my term of office as President expires, so this article is my valedictory message. All just a bit sad that it fell on me to preside over the pandemic, which has disrupted our movement along with so many aspects of daily life.

Many, groups have restarted meetings and grateful thanks to Group Leaders for continuing to animate their groups. It is the nature of our Movement that meetings take place in our own parishes,
augmented by Days of Reflection and annual Retreats.

Last year was our 40th anniversary which was commemorated by a bumper Journal, but lockdown
prevented other celebrations, including a visit from the International President. Now we are in our 41st year in the UK and remarkably the lady who kicked it all off, Paula Conrad, is a sprightly octogenarian with undaunted enthusiasm. She was our first President and has seen others come
and go, working in the background to ensure our ethos remains undiminished. She is an inspiration to us all. When you are asked to nominate people to become my successor please bear in mind, the role of President is not a religious leader but someone who cares and who generally helps steer the good ship Life Ascending across the oceans of spirituality, friendship and mission. I pray that my successor will bring dynamism, encouragement, belief in the Movement’s values, prayerful hope and love to this role.
Our prayers should continue to focus on healthcare and the efficacy of the vaccines in eradicating Covid-19 and with Winter there will be many things to concern us including social justice and care of our world.

Let us pray for God’s help and for each other. I hate saying Goodbye so with the utmost feeling I will bid you Farewell.

Ross Roberts, President

How to choose a new president

Our blessed Lady was reassured by the angel’s words “Be not afraid” and “pondered these things in her heart”. She stepped into the unknown but completely trusted and had faith.

The time has come to seriously consider nominations for our next President. Ross has now completed his term of office and is waiting to hand over the reins. Maybe as you read this you will
sense that you are being called to take up those reins. Ask yourself, what have I got to lose? Pope St
John Paul 11 spoke about responding to God’s call in his Letter to the Elderly in 1999. He said “At every stage of life the Lord can ask each of us to contribute what talents we have. The service of the gospel has nothing to do with age. As you know, there is no retirement age when it comes to doing God’s will”. We are so blessed in this day and age to have computers and mobiles.
These make communicating with one another much easier. The President is someone with a love
of our movement and a computer to enable them to easily contact members. A gentle understanding
of the needs of others, especially offering support to Group Leaders.
The President is part of the National Planning Team, who are there to share in the responsibilities and to help take Life Ascending forward. It is not an onerous task but one of love and commitment.

With the Holy Spirit at work anything is possible.