Dear Friends,
The seasons come and go in the cycle of nature, now the nights are drawing in, trees are looking decidedly more autumnal, there is a nip in the air, and grass is once again green. There is much change all around, a new Prime Minister has been appointed and of course, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died and Charles III is our new King.
Here in this parish we too are facing a time of change, we have recently said goodbye to Alastair and his family – it was wonderful that so many of us were able to share that occasion with him. Alastair, Sara and their boys have now moved to their new home in Keighley, please do remember them in prayer as they settle in and adjust to all the changes they face.
We too are facing a time of uncertainty, a time of change during which we will all hopefully grow in our faith and look within ourselves to see where our gifts lie. I would invite you to prayerfully consider what your gifts are and how you may be able to help during the interregnum. Within our parish we are undergoing a period of transition, change can be unsettling – even changes we know are coming. But the words from a hymn “O Thou who changest not, abide with me” reminds us of the constancy of God. The God who created the earth and the heavens, and loved you and me into being, is the same God today, as he was yesterday and the same God that will be in the days and weeks and years to come. God is steadfast and faithful. Our understanding of God’s nature may change, but he doesn’t. As Jesus reminds us many times in the New Testament, He will be with us unto the end of time, through the power of the Holy Spirit – a promise I am certain he will not break.
The church year has its seasons too, as I write we have just given thanks to God during our Harvest Festival celebrations. We thanked God for his overflowing generosity and goodness but we were also left wondering, why when we have so much are there so many places in our world where provision and abundance seem lacking.
As we enter November the church begins a season of remembering, we celebrate All Saints and All Souls; when we remember those who have died amongst our own families, friends and in our community. We all have our own memories and remember in different ways; it can be a difficult time or many as they remember those they have loved and lost. This year we will be having our Memorial Service a little bit earlier on Sunday 16th October at 3pm. Everyone is very welcome at that; it is a quiet service when we focus on remembering and giving thanks for those who have died. November also brings Remembrance Sunday, this year Sunday 13th November, where we remember those who have given their lives in the World Wars and all the subsequent conflicts for our freedom and for peace in the world.
As we approach the coming months with all the changes and challenges we may face, let us remember that we do so together as a church and a community, as friends and neighbours. May we also give thanks to God that we do not approach them in our own strength, but in knowing that the ever present and loving God is there beside us and walking with us as we journey together, and as we face the changes and challenges given to us.
Blessings,
Mary