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July message from the Ministry Team

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Dear friends

At last the weather has grown warmer and it has been pleasant to spend some time in the garden. A hellebore given to us by from Calverley’s garden had been in splendid isolation for quite some months, and was joined by an acer and a buddleia in the spring, and at last we were able to get to the garden centre in June and buy some heathers to plant around the edge of the garden. These will in time provide ground cover and flowers, in a mix of colours and in different seasons. Under the front window, we hope to have some alpines growing over the rocks that were left by the front door, and we have bought a grass for the side border, which will go alongside existing plants that we are trying to coax back into life and growth.

I enjoy gardening – creating a beautiful space filled with different colours and shapes of leaves, adding feed, watching things grow, weeding and clearing the borders – all these things occupy my hands and leave my head free to think, and for my brain to do some of its own clearing out. I find it very therapeutic.

When I buy a plant, I read the label to find out what soil it needs, how big it will grow, how best to care for it. I want to make sure it will be able to flourish. We think we might be limited to very low-growing plants that will be safe underneath the near-constant wind where we live, but how best to help the sunflowers sown in April, that could make it to ten feet tall?!

There’s a phrase, “Blossom where you’re planted” which reminds us that we do not always have the best conditions for us to grow as people, to achieve all our potential. But instead of yearning to be elsewhere, with other people, in another church, in another job, in another setting, we are encouraged to make the best of what we have, to see what growth is possible despite the difficulties. Sometimes it is those very difficulties that spur us to growth, as we try to make changes and reach for better things. Can we look around ourselves at the things that make life hard for us, and wonder what can be done with them to bring about something good? Instead of being a hindrance, can they become an inspiration?

Wishing you every blessing on your blossoming – in the garden and elsewhere,

Rev Christine
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