I heard today that one of those who studied with me has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She is the Assistant minister at Elstow Congregational Church. Elaine is a lovely caring person who was so happy to study and then obtain her foundation degree 2 years ago. I shared her joy on that day.
Sadly she has lost both her parents in the last 2 years and also had to give up her vocation as a paramedic due to knee surgery. This loss I know hit her very hard. Being a paramedic was who she was and it was taken from her.
Now she faces this final challenge .I know many are praying for her and that will bring her comfort, but she is still a human being facing immortality. Being a Christian does not exempt us from sadness or trouble or pain, in fact the mystics we have been studying have all suffered for their faith, and that faith becomes stronger as they suffer. I pray that Elaine will feel that strengthening of her faith and that Christ's promise of eternal life, and His peace will be with her.
Luckily we people of faith have that to fall back on at times like this, i have no idea how folk without faith cope.
My prayer for Elaine is courage, peace, love and faith. I pray that Nursing and medical staff will care for her like their own and that at the last ,the Lord will lead her home.
For the rest of us I pray we will take this as a reminder to put our houses in order and make sure our faith is strong to face the battles ahead,
Well the new Pope spoke about caring for others,humility etc so let's hope that is the way forward for all.
But oh what a dreary service! We are told he shortened it ,i can understand why.The best bit was the pretty umbrellas to protect the Priests from the sun!! I jest!
I Pray he will be a new fresh beacon for the Roman Catholics ,that he will modernise,that he will make the church more user friendly!that he will make it inclusive,that he will cast aside the trappings and concentrate on the issues that really matter.
I pray he will also understand the modern world and the stresses and strains folk live under and that he will meet their needs and not add to their stresses with excess children whom they cannot feed.
I pray the Vatican will be shaken up and the old guard expelled and a new fit for purpose,inclusive team will run things who are under the age of 65 or of a younger disposition who can really be in touch with the 21st century.
God Bless Him.
I have a weekend off!No sermon to think about,no service to prepare.i should be relaxing but i feel guilty.Why we are all entitled to time off,we all need to relax and yet.......as Ministers are we ever off duty?I could spend the whole weekend in prayer for those i know need or want prayer,yet i want to be relaxing doing stuff for myself and that makes me feel guilty.Yet at times burnout is not far away so i know i need to take time out.
If i had gone away somewhere i would not be feeling guilty,but because i have stayed at home it feels wrong.
Even Jesus took time to be away from the crowds so i know its right to do so,but he was never off duty even then,so perhaps thats why ifeel guilty...as a Minister you are never off duty there are always people to care for and situations to pray about.
but maybe just maybe i will find in all of that, some space.Pray for me
a great day with Liz Babbs
studying her sell out book "Transformed by the presence of Jesus" we all were Blessed by her Ministry and the Spirit was speaking to many of us.We all benefited from the day laughter and tears are all healing and the chocolate helped!Thanks to Liz for her Ministry.
Last Night Annie and I took ourselves off to the Icknield centre in Letchworth to see Adrian and Bridget Plass,and Dave Bilbrough.
All were on very good form and it was a hilarious but also thought provoking evening.His way of putting over a story with a moral is amazing.
Though even in that company i was amazed to see how unaware folk were.Annie walks with a tripod yet folk knocked into her,kicked her tripod,stood in her way and totally ignored her.
I enjoyed the evening very much,especially our fit of the giggles! but i was annoyed with my fellow brothers and sisters total lack of care of one in their midst.
May we all be more aware of those around us,and less cocooned in our own little part of the world.
Little point listening to a speaker about our faith if we fail to care!which was actually much of his message too!
Well the C of E seem to have got themsleves a new Archbishop who is not going to suffer fools gladly and is going to speak out when necessary.Hurrah!
Now a new Pope.I am intersted in his choice of name and it seems he means to live a much simpler life,refusing the trappings of fame.No doubt he will be forced into some of it for his own safety but a good start so far.
I know from friends who are RC's that there is much hope and need for change.
the Ability to marry and have children?
Women being given the chance to train for the ministry?
Cutting away the embellishments that now look over the top and out of kilter with a cash strapped world?
Sorting out those who disgrace themselves ,their faith,their parishioners and most of all God by abusing their power and position,sexually,physically,mentally and spiritually?
Sorting out the Vatican and its abuses.
A tough call for anyone,but particularly a humble aged man.
Just as well he has God alongside!
I pray for him and for the worldwide church of all denominations ,that we will become more Christlike,less worldly,that we will truly care about each other and work together to strengthen the bonds we have and chip away at our differences so that we may be truly followers of Christ and less like the money changers in the temple.
God Bless you Justin and Francis yours are hard roads to travel,yet we are all called to follow the same path just not so publicly.
WE have a had a very busy couple of weeks, some sad and some happy occassions.Today we brought 3 members of our fellowship forward for healing.I anointed them with oils while others put hands on them ,and as a whole family, we prayed for and with them.It was emotional and uplifting for all.God was as always with us and i felt his Holy Spirit working through me.I do pray that healing of whatever kind God feels is appropriate is given.Sometimes the healing we feel we need, is not the healing we actually need,but we can only ever see the short term and not as God sees the whole picture.Please continue to pray for healing for Tina,Sheila and Olwyn.Pray also the family of Christ we grow in Spirit and faith.
It was wonderful to welcome Baby May into our Fellowship this morning and we hope the cross will guide her and the photo frame carry precious memories while reminding her of the Promises God made to us through he story of Noah and of his Son's death on the cross.True hope and love..
It was also good to welcome Annie to our fellowship and we look forward to sharing times of fellowship and fun with her in the future..
the next few weeks will be busy as we go through lent ,Good friday,and of course Easter Day.I do hope you will join us for the fun times and the spiritual times when we refresh our faith and our various callings.
HI all! don't forget the coffee morning tomorrow at 11am in the cafe area,nice and cosy,the chance to chat,baby friendly floor(roadtested by Emilia and Eliza!)
children and adult lending library,
even wifi! and cake!
The chance to chat and meet new folk or catch up with old friends.
Free!! too.
So don't leave me sitting there all on my own-Join me!
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