Thoughts for March  from the Reverend Diana Newman

“Its all a matter of timing”. so the saying goes. Even The Book of Ecclesiastes in The Bible says: “For everything its season, and for every activity under the sun, its time.” As I write this, we have just said “Goodbye” to Christopher, our much loved priest who has served in our parish for 28 years - and what a crowd there was at the farewell services! At the 9am service there were 106 people and at the 10.30am service there were 927 so we had to relay the service by video into the Hall for those who could not get into church. Proof of a ministry well served.

 

This time of year it’s the start of change. Spring is beginning to show signs of its appearance, the daffodils and other spring flowers are in bloom and many signs of new life are on the horizon. Brighter mornings and evenings have begun to arrive, and our clocks go forward one hour in the early hours of Sunday 28th March – so it will be the day to rise an hour earlier to be at church in time for our Palm Sunday services!

 

Mothering Sunday falls on 14th of the month when it is an opportunity not only to say “Thank you” to our own mothers and carers, but to give thanks for all that “Mother Church” has provided for our spiritual growth through the years.

 

Many people find change difficult - so change can be an anxious time as we wonder what it holds for us; but now is the time to work co-operatively together to keep the parish working like clockwork as it has done over the last 28 years. Then hopefully, in the months to come we shall find a new leader, a priest who will challenge us and enthuse us to continue and bring further new growth to the work of God here.

“God has made everything to suit its time and I know that whatever God does lasts for ever; to add to it or subtract from it is impossible, and he has done it in such a way that men must feel awe in his presence.” (Ecc. 3.)

 

With love to you all, as we work and look ahead together.

 

Diana Newman