Skip to main content

Message from the Ministry Team

Dear Friends

The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The 23rd Psalm contains a number of images/pictures which communicate to us about God travelling the journey of life with us. Green pastures, quiet waters, paths of righteousness, a prepared table, goodness, love, days of a life and a dwelling place.

Yet the Psalm also recognises the realities of life, not always easy and aspects of our life which are far from perfect. Green pastures and still waters sound good, and for many, we are in a period of breaks and holiday, be that time away or Holiday at Home. I pray for the Lord’s blessing for those who are looking forward to such days. 

However, the Lord’s call to all of us is to draw aside and rest, in body, mind and spirit through all our days; all our joys, sorrows and routines. That all of us will know the Lord’s blessing. To worship the Lord, read a book, have a drink with a friend or go for a walk in the park.  We all need times to stop, think and reflect, regardless of who we are.

Even in the darkest valley, when our physical life is drawing to its conclusion and our work is done, we will still need to know moments of rest and refreshment; someone to pray with us, hold our hand or help us to experience the touch of the sun’s heat on our skin.

How are we finding our rest and refreshment and helping others to find theirs?

Every blessing

Revd Andrew

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

For such times as these! - A good news story from Windhill!

For such times as these! (Esther 14:14) On June 1st James Stannet (from e:merge , a Christian Youth organisation) began his youth work for Christchurch LEP in Windhill. He says, "Well! June has been a really busy but very productive month. On Wednesday, in the park, numbers are climbing week by week, now averaging 25. Good partnerships have been made with local organisations. this has been a blessing: enabling us to deliver varied sport activities and build good relationships.' 'The Hope Revolution, youth event, based at Christchurch LEP was a massive hit. A BIG Thank you is expressed to the Church for the support, encouragement and prayers. 200 people attended the Fun Day. Despite the rainy weather, 100 young people took part in local projects: two house clear-ups, school garden project (Windhill Primary) and running the Fun Day. 10 Christian Organisations working together resulting in several families requesting Christian children's activities.' ...

Called to Preach? A Taster Session

Called to Preach? A Taster Session for the Local Preacher Training Course in West Yorkshire and Surrounding Areas starting this Autumn will be held on Saturday 4 th October at  Trinity Methodist Church Duckett Street, Skipton, BD23 2EJ from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm (Drinks available from 10 am) The course is a District alternative to Faith and Worship, it is user friendly, well supported and assessed by worship portfolios. Some people feel sure of their 'call to preach' but for others the first steps are very tentative. It is a process of discernment that is shared by the Church. This day will provide an opportunity to look at the course outline, ask questions and hear from participants on the current course. More details from Revd Richard Atkinson, Core Tutor telephone: 01756 793522 or Liz Whitfield, Course Administrator West Yorkshire District

Circuit Talents Challenge

"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money ..." Matthew 25:14-30 Why don't you take up the Circuit Talents Challenge by taking a £5 note and making it grow for the Circuit? More details ...