Rector's Letter.

Weekend of 8th / 9th August 2020:
Ninth Sunday after Trinity

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith…(Hebrews 12: 2a)

Dear Friends,

The above verse has been the touchstone of my week, encouraging us as it does to look beyond the challenges of life and appreciate our future hope in Jesus.  The news this week has made sombre reading with localised spikes of Covid-19 in parts of our own country causing the wearing of face masks, even in church, to become mandatory, and the dreadful explosion in Beirut which has cost many lives in a country which is already struggling.  Our CMS Mission partners, Audrey and Colin, who are based in the city, have written to say they are safe and well but that the devastation is significant.  I have written to assure them that they are in our prayers and their latest letter can be found by clicking here.

Closer to home, I am saddened to share with you that the economic impact of recent months has brought into sharp relief the beleaguered state of our own church finances.  For some time now, our expenditure has exceeded our income and after much discussion the PCC have taken the decision that we cannot sustain the expense of a Church Administrator.  A Redundancy Process has been initiated and Kate has been given notice.  As is right and proper she will receive a redundancy package which reflects her years of service, but her employment with us will end in October. I know she will be missed and you will join me in praying for God’s blessing and provision for her in this difficult time.

It is at difficult times such as these that we rely heavily on the encouragement of our Christian brothers and sisters, and our summer gatherings for teaching and worship such as New Wine and Big Church Day Out have been sorely missed by those who might ordinarily have attended them.  Some uplifting teaching and worship is available on line for those who might like to ‘listen again’ and I encourage you to set aside some time and visit  Listen Again where you will find some lovely worship playlists (both traditional and contemporary) and some biblical teaching to encourage and inspire you.

In spite of all our troubles, the sun and the rain continue to bless our sunflowers and in Staddlestones, Midsomer Norton, some very tall specimens indeed have been nurtured! 

Every blessing,

Esther