Dear Friends,
As I write for this month's magazine it is Easter Day and a wonderful day of celebration.
We are reminded of the new life that Christ offers us all here and now and in eternity. A wonderful free gift that is offered to us all. As the month of May continues we will celebrate the Ascension of Christ on Ascension Day May 13th and then Pentecost on Sunday May 23rd. It used to be and still is called Whit Sunday by some.
All these three events help us in our daily lives and living. Life can often be a serious of ups and downs, uncertainties, changing circumstances, wonderful vistas or dark valleys.
The Easter story, the Ascension and finally Pentecost tell us of a Lord who died, rose again, ascended and then sent His Spirit to a world which so desperately and clearly needed reconciliation, hope, healing and justice.
We look around us today and see so much devastation in the world from a variety of sources. We see lives hurt or damaged by events. We also see a world of inequality, injustice and selfishness. The haves and have nots.
The arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost tells us of a God who does not discriminate, give to some and not others Rather He gives his Spirit, presence, peace and love quite generously and liberally to those who will receive Him. Those early, scared and isolated disciples, suddenly encountered the Ascended Lord through His Spirit in a quite marvellous way. A way which made them excited, free and full of courage and hope about life. They received a new power and strength. That power is available to us today too. The Holy Spirit is waiting for a moment to empower you and your life afresh and give you the experience of those early disciples. Gifts and fruits of many kinds await in God's kingdom and are generously given to his people.
Take a moment. Be Still. Listen. Pray. Be surprised by the Lord who is waiting around the corners of your life to show you how important and loved you are.
Over the next few months there will be many changes in our parish relationships as Steve Osman leaves us and we await and pray for his replacement.
Let us be mindful that the Holy Spirit will be with us in this time to guide, lead and give wisdom and insight as is needed. We never work alone in God's vineyard.
Seek out any opportunities to hear the Lord speaking to you and calling you into a closer and deeper walk with Him.
Have a blessed Pentecost.
Revd. Glenn Martin.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Thursday, 1 April 2010
APRIL 2010 - Vol 32 No. 4
The Reverend Steve Osman writes:
Dear Friends,
A few months ago I had to put my car in for repair. The only courtesy car I was offered was a brand new BMW X5 - I was slightly embarrassed to be driving it. Less than an hour after I got home someone in the village phoned me about something and commented, "I see you've got a new car." The grapevine in these villages is very efficient!
So I guess by now you will have heard that I am moving on from my present post, moving back to the N.E.
I just want to use this opportunity to say that we are very sorry indeed to be moving, but still feel it is right. I have spent ten very happy years in Gotham and slightly less than that looking after my other four churches. There have also been some excellent examples of collaboration across all twelve villages. I can't remember any seriously bad times; sad times yes, with the death of parishioners, but overall this has been a wonderful ten years. I have grown to love this part of the world and will always be proud to have served in these communities.
My new post is a challenge. Three churches formed into one parish with some resistance to that idea. Church life is a struggle in depressed ex-mining communities. My view is that there is no such thing as a problem, only an opportunity for challenge. On the plus side we will be much nearer family including elderly parents. The parish is next door to where I grew up. I have had to work hard at trying to tell the difference between God's call and the call of home. Accepting the fact that I'll be just fifteen miunutes from the Stadium of Light, I'm as convinced as I can be that this is what God wants.
For all of us who call ourselves Christian, this notion of God's guidance is always a challenge. As young people, what does my faith say about my career choice, my choice of life partner? As we get older, what does my faith say about how I spend my time or my money? From my experience it is rare to get clear and obvious answers when we ask God about all this. What is important is that we ask him. Too many Christians simply get on with their lives and give God just a passing nod.
This Easter time we can reflect on how Jesus followed his Father's will in order to give us hope and new life. That wasn't easy for him. Perhaps appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice will help us to give God more of our lives.
Steve Osman.
Dear Friends,
A few months ago I had to put my car in for repair. The only courtesy car I was offered was a brand new BMW X5 - I was slightly embarrassed to be driving it. Less than an hour after I got home someone in the village phoned me about something and commented, "I see you've got a new car." The grapevine in these villages is very efficient!
So I guess by now you will have heard that I am moving on from my present post, moving back to the N.E.
I just want to use this opportunity to say that we are very sorry indeed to be moving, but still feel it is right. I have spent ten very happy years in Gotham and slightly less than that looking after my other four churches. There have also been some excellent examples of collaboration across all twelve villages. I can't remember any seriously bad times; sad times yes, with the death of parishioners, but overall this has been a wonderful ten years. I have grown to love this part of the world and will always be proud to have served in these communities.
My new post is a challenge. Three churches formed into one parish with some resistance to that idea. Church life is a struggle in depressed ex-mining communities. My view is that there is no such thing as a problem, only an opportunity for challenge. On the plus side we will be much nearer family including elderly parents. The parish is next door to where I grew up. I have had to work hard at trying to tell the difference between God's call and the call of home. Accepting the fact that I'll be just fifteen miunutes from the Stadium of Light, I'm as convinced as I can be that this is what God wants.
For all of us who call ourselves Christian, this notion of God's guidance is always a challenge. As young people, what does my faith say about my career choice, my choice of life partner? As we get older, what does my faith say about how I spend my time or my money? From my experience it is rare to get clear and obvious answers when we ask God about all this. What is important is that we ask him. Too many Christians simply get on with their lives and give God just a passing nod.
This Easter time we can reflect on how Jesus followed his Father's will in order to give us hope and new life. That wasn't easy for him. Perhaps appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice will help us to give God more of our lives.
Steve Osman.
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