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 23^rd 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

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