The very first post on this blog site was entitled, “THE SAGA AT THE VICARAGE BEGINS”.

YOU CAN READ THAT QUICK POST HERE IF YOU CARE TO KNOW FROM WHENCE WE HAVE COME.

Now that said, there has been so much water under the bridge since that post was written in 2019 that I have to say it hardly applies anymore. The world has changed, the town we live has changed, our ministries have changed, the Vicarage has changed and my family has changed.

These last few months have caused me to do some deep introspection. I have been asking the question “Where do we go from here?” over and over in my time of prayer.

So let me introduce you to the changes in the way I see the world. Let me introduce you to the changes that have taken place in our town, in our church, in our ministries, in the Vicarage and in our family.

LET’S START HERE:

WHAT IS THE VICARAGE?

The Vicarage is a Queen Anne style house co owned by Rev. J. Lillie (that’s me) and Rev. Brenda J. Lillie (that would be my sister). It sits on a piece of property in North Central Massachusetts that is currently what I call an out of control micro-forest garden.

WHAT IS “NOTES FROM THE VICARAGE”?

“Notes From the Vicarage” is a blog about the Vicarage and its micro-forest gardens and all the projects going on there.

It’s a blog about the characters connected to the Vicarage, both human and animal.

It’s a blog about what we believe and the ministries we all oversee.

And it’s a blog about the towns we live in and how they are changing with the times and how we are becoming influencers in them.

WHO ARE THE CHARACTERS OF THE VICARAGE?

PASTOR J. LILLIE- Part owner of the Vicarage. Older brother of Pastor Brenda J. Lillie, father of Joe, Pastor Amanda and Melanie; father-in-law of Kristine and James; Oz (grandfather) to Lela, Abigail and Sevy. Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church. Currently resides at The Vicarage.

PASTOR BRENDA J. LILLIE- Part owner of the Vicarage. Younger sister to Pastor J, Aunt to Joe, Pastor Amanda, Melanie and their families. Missionary to The Netherlands where she currently resides.

JOE LILLIE VI- Son of Pastor J., husband to Kristine, father to Sevy, nephew to Brenda J, brother to Pastor Amanda and Melanie, Brother-in-law to James and Uncle to Lela and Abigail. ESL teacher in Jr. High School, Gideon, and missions team member at Cornerstone Church. Currently resides at The Vicarage.

KRISTINE BERNADETTE BARRAMEDA-LILLIE- Wife to Joe, mother to Sevy, daughter-in-law to Pastor J, sister-in-law to Pastor Amanda, Melanie and James, Aunt to Lela and Abigail. Teller at Athol Savings Bank and Administrative Assistant Cornerstone Church. Currently resided at The Vicarage.

JOSEPH LILLIE VII (SEVY)- Son to Joe and Kristine, Grandson to Pastor J, Great nephew of Pastor Brenda J., Nephew of Pastor Amanda, Melanie and James, Cousin to Lela and Abigail. Spends time being a little kid. Currently resides at The Vicarage.

PASTOR AMANDA LILLIE- Daughter to Pastor J, niece of Pastor Brenda J., Sister of Joe and Melanie, Sister-in-law to Kristine and James, Aunt to Lela, Abigail and Sevy, Next Generations Pastor of Cornerstone Church. Currently resides at The Vicarage.

JAMES FRANKLIN- Husband to Melanie, father to Lela and Abigail, son-in-law to Pastor J, brother-in-law to Joe and Kristine, uncle to Sevy. Pizza chef. DLT leader and Royal Ranger Commander at Cornerstone Church. Currently resides about 5 minutes from The Vicarage.

MELANIE FRANKLIN- Wife to James, mother to Lela and Abigail, daughter to Pastor J, niece to Pastor Brenda, sister to Joe and Amanda, sister-in-law to Kristine. Medical records transcriber. Worship leader and DLT leader at Cornerstone church. Currently resides five minutes from The Vicarage.

DANIELLA FRANKLIN (LELA)- Daughter to Melanie and James, Granddaughter to Pastor J, niece to Pastor Brenda J, Joe and Kristine and Pastor Amanda, sister to Abigail and cousin to Sevy. First grader! Currently resides five minutes from the Vicarage.

ABIGAIL FRANKLIN- Daughter to Melanie and James, granddaughter to Pastor J, niece to Pastor Brenda J, Joe and Kristine and Pastor Amanda, sister to Lela and cousin to Sevy. Practices being a little kid. Resides five minutes from the Vicarage.

SNUG AND MERCEDES: Elderly Maltese dogs owned by Pastor J. Currently reside at the Vicarage.

SUNSHINE, PARTLY CLOUDY, EGGPLANT AND SPOT-The chickens who live in the Forest garden at Tye Vicarage.

SO… This is us. This our home. This is our story. I encourage you to join us on the journey.