Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ, on the feast of St James the brother of our Lord.
May I begin by expressing my heartfelt thanks to you all, for your expression of love and support shown me on my Birthday. I was truly humbled by your kindness. I am praying that the old adage applies and that my fifty’s will be years of increasing wisdom as I continue to walk in God’s grace and remain true to my calling as a cleric in the Church of God.
This week I will be on leave, and spending time preparing for my daughter’s wedding which is on the 19th of December. The following week I will be attending a Retreat, and spend time seeking God’s guidance for the time ahead and the advent of the new year to be lived under Christ’s mercy and grace.
Please pray for all our educators and learners who will be having a well deserved and overdue rest this week, and who will return to face the challenge of completing this academic year.
You would have seen by now that we have withdrawn from the Kingsburgh Child and Family Welfare and the team of Kim, Judy, Marjorie and I will be working on a new inhouse (both parishes) Social Responsibility project.
I remind you that we are conducting physical Sunday Eucharist services alternating between the two churches. You may physically attend either Church regardless of which Parish you belong to. The Online services on Zoom and WhatsApp will continue and the Word of God and Sermon be posted to Facebook. It is fitting on this, the feast of St James the brother of our Lord, that I remind you that Sunday Services are a celebration of our common life and it is critical to our individual and corporate spirituality that you are involved in ministry in some way. As St James said, faith without works is dead.
So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:17-19 BSB)
Therefore, I want to encourage the development of support groups within the parish.
Teachers, business- people, retired people, youth – these peer support groups are essential to develop a Christian response to the challenges of our time as you live out your lives to the glory of God.
Scripture implores us not to tire of doing good, but on our own we will tire, thus let us uphold each other in prayer, draw on each-other’s strengths complement each-other’s weaknesses and build this kingdom together, with and in and through Christ.
Let us hold onto the gift of life and as we share life together let us strive for the common good and together re-build a more just and merciful world.
Be assured of My Prayers
Rector
Feast of St James 2020
