Dear Friends

Another week and still no rain! I don't think I have ever seen Shropshire look so brown at this stage of the summer! Do be remembering the farmers in your prayers, for while we might enjoy the summer weather, it causes havoc with pasture land and growing crops.

Speaking of crops, I recently preached on Paul's letter to the Galatians and was challenged personally by it. What am I sowing? Is it to the flesh (which is our lower, sinful nature) and which leads to corruption or to the Spirit (which is the work of God in our lives) and which leads to life? Life can drift along and before we are aware of it it's suddenly the middle of summer; we are over halfway through the year and beginning the long slow descent to Christmas! Stay focused on where you are and what you're doing and keep sowing to the Spirit. It was great to see the success of the Pontesbury Festival a couple of weeks ago and the Minsterley garden party last weekend, great examples of the church sowing to the Spirit and the effect rippling out into the community.

I trust you will all have a good weekend and that God will be with you in the week ahead. Richard