Thank you, Simon

Earlier today I tweeted: 'Thank you Simon for all you have done for Bermondsey. The love and prayers of your St James church family are with you today.'

The Leader of Southwark Council, Peter John,  tweeted 'Absolutely right to pay tribute to @SimonHughes - 32 years of service to Bermondsey & Southwark. A lasting place in the borough's history.'

At last night's count, his victorious opponent, the new MP,  Neil Coyle, paid tribute to Simon and this was followed by sustained cheers and applause from the crowd.

This is not a political blog: it is a pastor's blog, and it's as a Bermondsey vicar that I want to pay tribute here to the remarkable service that Simon has given to the community for 32 years. His energy, his commitment, his compassion, have been legendary. We honour him for all this today, and we pray for him - as we pray for Neil as he takes up his new responsibility.

At the end of 1 Corinthians 15 there is this verse (v58): 'Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.'

It's a promise for every Christian, and its a promise that I pray will sustain our dear brother, Simon, at this particular moment in his service for God's kingdom.