Message from the Rector
Ow sos ger,
I have just watched some of the highlights from the European Championships for athletics, and some of you will know that I have been following the Hundred -cricket for those who don’t have time on their hands to get into a 5 day match!
I am struck by how persistent individuals and teams need to be in order to attain the vision that they hold to succeed in their particular discipline.
Individuals commit to keeping themselves up to date with any changes to the rules, they keep an ear out learning from others experience of tracks or fields at particular venues, they seek advice from a coach and take note of comments or insights that will help them to develop their skill/practice/discipline.
I suspect that Paul, when he writes to Timothy saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”(2 Timothy 4:7) has just watched a good sporting event and perhaps likened his own endeavours in terms of faith to that of an athlete, realizing that both disciplines require steadfastness and faithfulness.
Paul writes in his letter to the Romans (5:2b-5),
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
I want to encourage us all at this moment. As we rest in between all the festivals of the Church season, and we take time to attend tour own journeys of faith, we might be critical, or have many doubts, we may even feel unworthy, but underneath all of that I encourage you to remember that you are loved and cherished. And if you are feeling like this is an impossible thing to believe or to trust, might I remind us that God is faithful, God is love, and God seeks us. When we mess up, when we allow bitter feelings to rule our hearts, or we bear a grudge, or we are grumpy with the world and anyone who suggests an alternative way, we can repent and ask to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit again.
We can take encouragement from the letter of James (1:12) when he tells us
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Gras ha kres,
Caroline
Duggie Dug Dug Update
Thank you to everyone who supported our BIG mission outreach event this past weekend. It was so much fun watching as children ooo'd and aaa'd and got fully into sign-language and actions for the songs. I am looking forward to seeing how the music group incorporates some new songs into our regular worship
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