One of the things I think we have all had to learn to do during these last challenging 18 months is to hold onto things lightly. Whether it’s been the opportunity to see family and friends, join together in much-loved activities, go away on holiday or whatever else, I’m sure we will all have had disappointments along the way that we have had to face and try to move beyond.
Last month we were able to welcome our little granddaughter Robyn-Jane, born in July last year just as we were coming out of the first lockdown, into our home for the first time. We were absolutely thrilled that we got to witness her first independent steps whilst she was with us. But at the end of the weekend, she developed a cough and tested positive for Covid. Thankfully she was fine, but of course we all had to self-isolate for 10 days, which meant we missed the first 5 days of our long-awaited holiday. Such is the roller-coaster ride that we have all been riding through Covid…! I know that I have certainly learned some valuable lessons around holding things lightly – and also around seeing God at work in some surprising and beautiful ways in the midst of the tough stuff that’s going on.
And whilst it’s true to say that we have had to learn to hold things lightly, alongside that many of us will have perhaps learned something about who, and what, we can hold onto tightly – and that is, of course, Jesus and the hope we have in him. Jesus, who rides the roller coaster ride with us; Jesus the one who is always with us, always faithful.
One of the highlights of my summer has been the discovery of ‘The Chosen’, a beautiful dramatization of Jesus’ life, which can be found on YouTube or downloaded as an App.
In it the characters and stories we read about in the gospels are brought to life in such an imaginative, yet completely believable, way. There are two seasons currently released, with a third in the making. I really commend it to you; it’s made a deep impression on me.
Another joy the summer has brought has been the opportunity to sing together when we gather to worship on Sundays – that’s certainly something I have really missed through these Covid months! All our Sunday services and celebrations are back meeting in person – the weekly 9am and monthly 5pm services in church, and the weekly 10.30 and 6.30 celebrations in the centre. As of now, there is no longer any need to book your place – just come along; it would be wonderful to see you. (Please note that face coverings are still expected and recommended to be worn). And in the coming weeks we hope to be able to see more and more of our ‘normal’ church activities starting up again; we’ll keep you posted! In the meantime, let me leave you with these words from Hebrews 10v23:
‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful’.
May God bless you and keep you in His love and care.