The holiday season is here upon us: time for a bit of “R and R” - rest and recuperation. This is so important in our modern world as we rush about from one activity to another.

I discovered my need for this recently, when I discovered Weston church’s new “Place of Welcome.” This had been going for a few weeks in Weston Church Room on Fridays between 10.00am and 12.00, when I decided I better go along to support them. As often in life, I went because I thought God needed me there to support others and instead found He was actually calling me there to support me! The joy of sitting down for half an hour, letting someone else make me a cup of coffee and being expected to do absolutely nothing other than have a nice chat, was just what I needed! I would encourage everyone who can carve out 30 minutes from their busy schedule to drop in for a cuppa. Dogs and small children especially welcome!! We all need that period of recuperation every so often, and Jesus is always there helping us to find it.

Remember he said

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.

Recuperation does not just mean recovery from tiredness, but recovery from illness: healing. Healing is the motivation behind our 5th Sunday Praise Together service on 29th September at Weston.

It will be a service in memory of all the babies lost in miscarriage and stillbirth, or neo-natal death.

Over thirty years ago, I lost a baby by miscarrying 3 months into my pregnancy, and I still feel the ache of that loss. Although I never knew its gender, I somehow know that this was the son I never had, and still remember his loss, even though I was later blessed with two healthy daughters. I can only imagine what it must be like to have multiple miscarriages or lose a child at birth or in the first year.

Thirty years ago, people were not even expected to talk about it, just to get on and wait for the next pregnancy, and I know many people still carry the pain.

God healed my pain and anger very soon after my experience and I would like other people to experience that sense of healing. It is sometimes even worse for men, who expected to be strong and support their wives, repressing all their own grief. I hope our service on the 29th will give people that time and space to allow God to heal those wounds, however recent or long-standing they are.

Blessings to all,               Vivienne