Our Minister:
Rev.
Diane Smith
01702 436097
For Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals,
Please contact the minister
You may or may not recall back in the 70's a recording by Ian Dury and
The Blockheads with the wonderful title 'Reasons to be Cheerful, part
three'.
Which surely implies by definition that there is a great deal in life
of which we should be profoundly thankful for.
Ian Dury's list is quite extensive, amongst other items he offers thanks
for Buddy Holly, Elvis, National Health glasses and Cheddar cheese!!
He also lists "Bantu" as one of his reasons to be cheerful.
"Bantu" is the Southern African Concept of being my brother
and sister's keeper.
'Reasons to be Cheerful' is a very witty song which successfully offers
praise for the things that make life worthwhile and on a deeper level
reminds us all of our shared humanity.
These two concepts of being thankful and loving our neighbour are of course
major themes developed throughout scripture, and whilst they are certainly
not the private property of those who call themselves followers of Christ,
it would be difficult perhaps nigh on impossible to see how we could even
begin to follow Jesus without them.
I write this letter at the beginning of February after heavy overnight
snow fall in the depths of Winter. I wish to remind us all that Spring
will come again and the message of Easter will once more touch our lives
and give us hope.
The hymn writer Fred Pratt Green reminds us "After darkness, light;
After Winter, Spring; After dying, life Alleluia!."
May
our Faith in Jesus give us the deepest joy of all.
God
bless