The Minister's Newsletter for September 2010

Dear Friends,

September is upon us! From my perspective this seems a strange thing to be writing as I am doing so in early August, so that this letter can be prepared before Angela and I go on holiday.

It is often the case that we need to plan ahead so that we know what we are supposed to be doing, and then do it. But we also need to live for the present moment, because that moment can be very quickly lost. In the birth of a new baby, for example, we know this to be particularly true. At that moment, few parents will be contemplating what their new-born will be doing in five years time, rather their feelings will be captivated by the unique celebration of the present.

In the life of our church we are often engaged in planning for the future, especially in our meetings of which there will be many in September! But can I also encourage us to celebrate the present moment in worship and everyday life? In the present moment God is here, and in the present moment we may encounter his grace. If we move on too quickly, we might miss something rather special. Not that this is necessarily easy. Some people are rather better than others at valuing the opportunity that the present offers - Jesus’s conversation with the listening Mary and the busy Martha has something to say to us in this respect.

May I suggest that over the coming weeks we enjoy the moments that we have together in God’s company as we worship, and try not to worry over-much about the lunch cooking at home, or when the offering is to be taken!

And in our meetings, may we plan for the future in the knowledge that those moments will also be under the eternal care of God, who holds our past, present and future in his loving hands.

God Bless

Stephen

Image: ©: Gareth Smith