Grace and Peace to you, from God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
I ask you to uphold Bongi (our assistant in the Rectory and Church) who is very ill in Hospital and Kim Marais, (our Administrator) who is not at all well, in your prayers.
Vestry is come and gone, and I thank everyone for a smooth journey through this. Congratulations to our Council and Wardens, I look forward to working with you. It was a quiet week for them to get accustomed to the idea and from next week we will begin our meetings and planning for the way forward.
Lent is fast approaching, we still have space on the Lenten retreat should anyone wish to still sign up.
2 Tim 1:6 says “fan into flame the gift of God which is in you…” as I was reminded when reading Bishop Eric Pike (Waymarks for the Way) this week, that means that you have to be responsible for the rekindling of God’s gift in you. It requires some discipline and action on your part. I really encourage you especially as Lent is coming to make every effort to (1 Tim 4:15) “put these things into practice devote yourselves to them, so that all may see your progress.
Let us make this lent an intentional season of setting ourselves apart. Making Time for God, for studying his word for reading for inquiring of the Lord. Let us seek a clearer vision of Jesus and a deeper understanding of Him, that our lives may be filled with the joy of knowing our saviour.
As I was telling someone this week. Jesus was born into a world with a corrupt and evil political system and a “religion” that was failing the people. He is not oblivious to our plight, His worldly leaders were the same as ours, they just had different names. The economy was under pressure the gap between rich and poor was ever widening. There was a hopelessness and a restlessness. God is not surprised nor oblivious to our situation. In fact, he steps right into it and says – be of good courage, do not be afraid, take heart, for I am with you.
So, let us take Jesus at His word!
Be assured of my prayers
Fr Andrew
