I cannot believe that I have been with you for 17 months, it doesn’t seem that long. I think we can all agree that we have lived through some very strange times and that we are not yet fully out of the woods. I am sure that if we continue to stay safe and look after ourselves and others, that we will all come to terms with living with, what some describe as the new flu. This year we are all hoping for new beginnings, and for myself and my family this will be a reality. Christmas 2021 was the last one for us in our family home. Our youngest son is moving into his own home this month and our third child will begin life as a foundation year 1 doctor in a hospital somewhere within England. (We find out in April where this will be). For Mr Hines and I, we will be moving to wherever I obtain my first position of responsibility. I am currently looking for a post that God is calling me too and if you have a spare minute, I would appreciate your prayers as I discern where this will be.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Am I excited? Yes, but along with the excitement comes a sense of fear. Fear that I get it wrong, and I don’t hear God guiding me into my first post. Fear that I do not have the gifts to lead a parish and that I will let everyone down, when they realise that I am not the person they thought that they were looking for. These are all natural responses, not just for clergy but for anyone moving into a new role, or even a new school.</span>hen any of us are called by God to any form of ministry, it is natural to look at others within our congregations and think that they can do it so much better. We wonder how we will fit in the work we are being called to do by God with everything else we have to do, and so we begin to find reasons for why we can’t do what is being asked of us.God is a persistent God and if it is his will then it will be done. God equips us for all that he calls us to do. He never calls us so that we will fail, but as examples to those who do not yet know God, that he has a purpose for all of us when we accept him into our lives. When we do except God and begin to use the gifts that he has given us then amazing things can happen; not just for us but for others as well. If anyone had told me that one day, I would have a degree and be leading worship and ministering to others I would not have believed them! I come from a working-class background and currently live on the edge of a council estate and yet God called me to this role. If that is not a sign of how God calls and encourages all his people, then I don’t know what is! So, as I continue to discern where God is taking me next, I pray that you will all listen to God and ask where he wants to lead you. Will it be scary? Probably. Will you be surprised? Yes. But saying yes to God will lead you to meet some amazing people and share in their journeys. There are two passages of scripture that encourage me, and I hope they will encourage you as you journey on.The first is: Isaiah 41: 10 '<em>do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand '.</em>The second is from Paul’s letters to the Romans: 12:2. '<em>Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect.'</em> There will always be those who think you can’t do what you believe God is calling you to do, they may even try to discourage you. Do not let them! Listen to God, go with God and be amazed by his awesomeness as he calls you to minister in his name to his people. Rev. Ashley
Cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green, strawberries are sweeter than any I've seen Beetroots purple and onions white All grow steadily day and night The apples are ripe and the plums are red The broad beans are sleeping in their blankety bed. (words taken from UK hymn Book Come and praise published by the BBC). October always reminds me of my children’s school assembly at harvest time. The sample of the hymn printed above is one of the songs that was sung every year until they went to senior school, when sadly school assemblies stopped. How many of you can sing the other verses? October is also a time of change, the weather gets colder, and the nights draw in. it is time to put our gardens to bed for the winter and drag out our woollies and waterproofs. I love the dark winter nights with the fire cracking in the wood burner and the twinkling of the lights as I sit and knit reflecting on all that is good in my life. It is also an opportunity for me to remember those less fortunate than myself. Those who do not have a place to shelter, warm clothes to wear and food to eat. I am also reminded of the farming community who work tirelessly to provide us with the food that we eat, the milk that we drink and the wool to make clothes. Whilst we have lived in virtual isolation for the past 18 months, some farmers live in virtual isolation for most of the year. For some farmers their nearest neighbour can be 5 miles away and they unlike us may not get the opportunity to chat on a regular basis. Of course, there is zoom and facetime, but only if you have a good internet connection and unfortunately in rural places this is sometimes a downfall. Farmers rely on the weather and with the climate changing their role is becoming more difficult as they struggle to produce enough food not just for us but for their cattle as well. We can do our bit to help our farmers by shopping locally when possible, using farm shops or one of the many local fresh produce delivery companies; these are usually set up by the farmers themselves as a way of earning extra income. When we shop, we can also buy extra food for those who use the food banks and for the YMCA who feed many homeless people throughout the year. Many of us are going to be struggling this year to feed ourselves and heat our homes, but even the poorest amongst us can offer something to help others. In mark we find the widow who is poor giving all that she had to help others. Jesus recognizes that her gift is greater than that of the rich people who gave generously but who still had plenty left for themselves. God sees the little things that we do and is not always impressed by our grand gestures. The widow of Zarephath is also an example of someone in need herself and yet she gave her last meal to Elijah. (1 Kings:17: 7 – 16). So as we all wrap up warm and settle ourselves down for the winter months, let us be generous with our own giving and as I sit and knit I will be praying for God to help us provide for all those in need this harvest time, I hope you will join in my prayers. Curate Ashley.
