PASTORAL MESSAGE

Pastoral Message for November
from Pat Oliver - one of our Elders

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Hello to you all

Thinking about this month of November it struck me that the word ‘remember’ crops up a lot this month from beginning to end. All Saints Day when we think of those who have died, a long time ago or more recently, followed closely by celebrating Bonfire Night when we remember Guy Fawkes and the failed plot to blow up Parliament in 1605. More recently in men’s cancer awareness campaigns this month has become known as Movember where sponsored participants grow moustaches to prompt men to talk about health issues as well as raise funds for specific charities.

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Then “lest we forget” those people killed, maimed, scarred in wars so that we can live as freely as we do now – men, women, children, all ages, creeds and colours. We remember, we grieve and we pray so hard for peace in our world. It doesn’t seem to come but we must never give up hope, never give up praying, never stop whatever little we think we can do. God in Jesus, came to show us how to live together, how to care for each other, how to live to make a better world …. So let’s do what we can.

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Remember World Kindness Day on the 13th World Diabetes Day on the 14th, and at the end of the month we have International Men’s Day and St Andrew’s Day. There are always people to think of every day whether it is their birthday, a happy family event, or something less happy. Invite someone who is lonely to come to your club, your church one day and smile to as many as you can during the day.

 

Make November a month to remember the little things as well as the big and pray for whoever or whatever pops into your head as soon as they do.

Blessings

Pat Oliver 

 

(Penny is still on sick leave and she is not expected to be able to return to work until December.

We continue to pray for Penny’s healing and for those helping her to deal with this situation as they work together to help Penny resume her ministry to us and the Methodist Church.

If you need a minister during this time, please contact Revd John Hughes, who is providing ministerial oversight.

His email is:   john.hughes@methodist.org.uk

For all other pastoral matters, please see one of our Pastoral Team, whose names are posted in the Church Vestibule.)