Important Bracknell Family News

Dear Kerith Family,

It's with great sadness we write to let you know that Rachel Aworinde, wife of Pelumi our site pastor, sister to Esosa Babalola, cherished family member, beloved friend and inspiring woman of God has passed away this week. For many months we have been privileged to pray alongside Rachel and Pelumi and the family as they have stood with her through pancreatic cancer. In recent weeks she fought bravely against infection and other complications under the wonderful care of the hospital teams and with the unwavering love and support of close family. Sadly that fight in Rachel's body came to an end on Monday evening this week.

Please join us in continuing to stand with Pelumi, Esosa and family both in prayer and support. Pelumi will be taking a period of compassionate leave as our Bracknell Site Pastor (we will write separately about how Bracknell is led in the meantime). We grieve with them in their pain as we cry out to God for his comfort and peace and healing.

As followers of the resurrected Jesus, we know Rachel is no longer suffering. We're deeply saddened that she didn't receive healing here on earth, but we know cancer has no place either in heaven where she's now with Jesus, or in her future resurrected body. So in our sadness, we don't grieve without hope. We cling to his presence to face the truth of our pain and we remember the hope of a renewed physical body that will not wear out, succumb to cancer, or any other illness or disease.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, messages of support, passages of Scripture, encouragements and practical care shown in recent weeks and months.

News and dates for a service of thanksgiving for Rachel's life will follow in due course.

Much love,

Simon