| Pastoral Letter |
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June
2008
The
Curate writes… A line from the
Sermon on the Mount jumps out at me as I wonder what to write for this
letter: “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself…” (Matthew
6.34) I am very conscious
that this is a time when there is much to prey upon our minds. On a personal note,
I am anticipating my ordination as priest at the end of this month.
This will be a time of joy, but I am conscious of my increased
responsibility (I’ve already seen the new rota!) and changed role. School students are
working their way to the end of their exam, university and college
students are completing the assignments and exams.
This is a time that will determine people’s futures. St Catharine’s
church council is now starting work on several major projects.
The next few years will be a time of change and a lot of hard work.
Fear of natural
disaster is also quite natural, after the severity of last July’s
flooding. The county feels
prepared, but it is still possible to worry as wet days bring raised river
levels. It is also a time
in the country and the wider world when financial pressures are being
felt. Mortgages and debt are
worrying many people, and uncomfortable times may be ahead. This all feels a
bit tense and maybe, in some cases, unpleasant – so can we take those
words from Jesus’ powerful sermon and actually let tomorrow be anxious
for itself? In a time of
change, and uncertainty, when the future is not clear and could be
difficult, can we be so fatalistic that we just don’t worry? I believe we can.
If we attend to our prayer life, if we engage with the bible on a
regular basis and if we give and receive support from others around us, I
believe we can let tomorrow take care of itself.
Change will happen, and some of it for the worst.
But we can rest assured of the gifts that God has given us, and
knowing that life as a follower of Jesus Christ will always have the right
outcome. Every blessing, Andrew
Previous monthly Pastoral Letters can be viewed here..... |