Colour Supplement

Articles by Christians around the world

Sunday 26 August 2007

 

Season of new beginnings

A letter from Katharine Smith - Reader at St. Andrew's

 

 

I’ve always liked September.  I prefer it when it follows a long, hot summer so that the slightly cooler air and the unmistakable smell of autumn feel refreshing and timely.  This year I’m hoping we finally get some summer which lasts until October.  I’m writing this during the first week in August and there are signs that all is not lost.

 

September speaks to me (and I expect to many others) of a new term, polished school floors, nice clean note books, sharpened pencils and a sense of excitement about the coming year.  (I quite enjoyed my school days!)

 

For others, memories of Septembers in the past may not be so positive but perhaps this September will mark a new start for all of us.

 

The Vacancy …..

 

Think back ten months – to 10^th December last year to be precise.  We started out together on our journey through this vacancy period with a mixture of emotions.  There was sadness, a little fear perhaps, uncertainty and for some an increased sense of responsibility for the life of our church.

 

Together we’ve travelled this far.  Sometimes it seems to me to have been an awfully long time and an uphill struggle.  At others the time seems to have flown by and I think we’ve worked well as a team to make sure that our worship, pastoral care and the practical day to day work of the church have continued and developed.

 

In his final magazine letter to us last year Julian wrote “May God bless you as you continue to write the St Andrew’s chapter in God’s book and, with his grace, be the people he has made you.

 

This might be a time to reflect on the journey from there to here: how have we changed as individuals, as a congregation and as a community? 

 

What lessons have we learned along the way and what are our hopes for the years ahead?

 

We’re about to begin another chapter in the story of St Andrew’s.  We begin it with hope and excitement, and maybe a little apprehension as well.  Let’s pray that we will continue to be and to become the people, the congregation and the community God wants us to be.

 

……… is filled

 

We’re not the only ones making a new start.  For Jim and Doreen and the family the move to Taunton, life among us in the church, in school and in work will mean huge changes and I know that we can assure them of our love and prayers as we get to know each other and learn to work, worship and play together.

 

Be thou at our side

 

Father, hear the prayer we offer: Not for ease that prayer shall be, But for strength that we may ever Live our lives courageously.   Not for ever in green pastures Do we ask our way to be; But the steep and rugged pathway May we tread rejoicingly.

Not for ever by still waters Would we idly rest and stay; But would smite the living fountains From the rocks along our way.   Be our strength in hours of weakness, In our wanderings be our guide; Through endeavour, failure, danger, Father, be thou at our side

 

When I was at school the hymn “Father hear the prayer we offer” was one of my favourites and it has remained so over the years.  It’s always struck me as a realistic and practical prayer because life needs to be lived courageously, pathways are steep and hard to follow and refreshment and renewal aren’t always easy to find.  But we have God’s promise that he will be there in those times, at our side through whatever’s going on in our lives.  It’s my prayer for this new beginning.

 

With my love and prayers

 

Katharine

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