Dear Friends,
I must begin with a big word of thanks to you all for the wonderful party last Sunday. I had not expected anything so lavish and I am so grateful to you for all that you did to make the day special. It is such an honour and a privilege to share the gospel with both congregations, week by week. I still wake up on a Sunday morning feeling excited by the opportunity to be with you all. May I also thank you for your very generous gifts. The picture means a great deal, not least because of the thought that went into it. The vase is beautiful and is currently full of the flowers you gave me. But most of all, I am pleased to be able to tell you that we shall be sending £1000 to Sight Savers. If you translate that into children whose eyesight will be saved that means 200 children will have been helped to have a brighter future because of your generosity. I cannot think of anything better that we could do for them.
Thirty years is a long time to stay in the same job. But ministry is not, and never should be simply a job. It is a calling and a way of life. Sometimes it is very challenging, and always it is very busy. When I first thought about offering for the ministry a very senior minister suggested that it was the most important calling in the world. Certainly. it is a privilege to be able to share with people in the most difficult times of their lives, and hopefully to be an agent of the comfort that Christ offers to all his people, as well as to share in the good times. It can be very practical too, and I have found myself helping to decorate a house, and helping someone to bake a special birthday cake, as well as other equally practical tasks when needed!
But most importantly, it is the challenge of sharing the gospel week by week, in a way that is relevant to everyday life, especially in these difficult times. It takes much time and prayer in preparation, but bringing the people to Christ and Christ to the people is such and important and never-ending task. There is always so much more to do.
As we approach the season of Christmas people often say to me, ‘this must be your busy time’. It is certainly complicated to fit everything in. It is rather like a jigsaw with too many pieces. It is challenging and exciting, and lovely to be able to share it with people such as yourselves.
With love and blessings,
Marion
Categories: Minister's Blog