Monthly address

Rev. Carol Harvey and Harry

October

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46

Dear Parishioners,

Well here we are in October! The last editorial I wrote was written in June for July and August! Well they say “time flies when you are having fun”.

I hope you have all had a wonderful summer and enjoyed that weather! Even now as I write, the temperatures remain clement! But inevitably there is a noticeable change as the days grow shorter, the evenings darker, and the trees begin to surrender their summer colours. But still there is something beautiful about this season of “mist and mellow fruitfulness”. The season, like the seasons of man, reminds us that change is a natural part of life, light and dark, life and death, and that our Abba Father is present in every season.

At this Autumn time, we might also pause to reflect on the changes taking place within our own lives and within our church community. Some changes are welcome and exciting, others may bring uncertainty or even sadness. Whatever the circumstances, we can be encouraged by the faithfulness of God, who remains constant when everything else seems to shift. Remembering the words in Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Which echoed in the great hymn - “Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not”. How blessed are we?

Of course October is also a month when we give thanks for the Harvest. A time to be grateful for the harvest of the earth, for the people who enrich our lives, for the opportunities we have to serve, and for the fellowship we share as a church family. Gratitude has a way of changing our perspective. It turns our attention from what we lack towards the many blessings we have received. And I couldn’t go past that without mentioning the love and joy I felt when you celebrated with me my 20 years serving you here in Carnmoney. I can’t thank you enough - for your love, your kindness and your generosity. And isn’t the garden spectacular! It has blossomed and bloomed, and I love the colours and the sense of freedom and joy there is in the movement of the grasses and shrubs in the wind. So thank You Lord, and thank You dear friends.

So yes, October is a good month to ask ourselves: What am I thankful for? Where have I seen God at work in my life? And how might I share His love with someone else?

Church is not simply a place we come to on Sundays. It is a community in which we encourage one another, carry one another’s burdens, celebrate together, and seek to make Christ known in our local community. As the nights draw in, may our fellowship be a source of warmth and welcome to those around us. The familiar words of Psalm 46 remind us: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Whatever this autumn brings, we need not face it alone. God walks with us, and we walk with one another.

So, as the leaves fall and the season changes, may October give us an opportunity to slow down, notice God’s goodness, and give thanks. May we continue to be a church that welcomes, serves, encourages and prays - and may the light of Christ shine brightly through us, even as the days become darker.

With every blessing for the month ahead,
Carol

September

Reflections from the Glebe House
“I was just thinking...

...God is doing a new thing which means this is going to be a really exciting year!”

As people return from their summer holidays and as the children go back to school, our church activities and groups are all kicking off again. It’s been quieter over the summer, but it is amazing to look back even just a few months and see how God is moving among us and things are growing and developing here at Carnmoney. Some years ago at an Easter Vestry, I preached on Isaiah 43:18-19 “This is what the Lord says … forget the former things, do not dwell on the past, see I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it.” Never in my time here have I felt this verse is more pertinent! So often we look back to the good old days when the church was full, and Sunday School and our Brigades were packed with children. Now numbers are smaller and we are an ageing congregation; yet God has been moving among us and doing some lovely things.

Consider the following which have all happened since Easter:

• A number of new (and often younger) people have joined our church and are using their gifts and talents to enrich our corporate life.

• We have appointed an Outreach Worker to Young People. Natalia is doing some fantastic work amongst our young people and also in four of our schools.

• Additionally, we have just appointed Heather Seeds as our new Outreach Worker to Adults and can now work towards really developing a staff team. (Read more from Heather on page 8 of this month's magazine)

• We have embarked on an ambitious project to develop our graveyard and are working towards putting in a sizeable bid to the National Heritage Lottery Fund. If successful, it will really be a game changer for our outreach and ministry here.

• Our Eco Group continues to pioneer, their latest project being to install LED lighting in the church for which we have received a National grant.

• The Probation Service have begun to help us to maintain our grounds.

• Our Busy Builders Holiday Club was a great success, with our biggest team of leaders yet and twenty-six children, all (apart from four of our own children) coming from the local community.

• Our Prayer Meeting continues to grow in numbers as we hold the Parish before God in prayer, and our Fellowship Group on ‘Women of the Bible” was so popular that we found it hard to fit everyone into the Memorial Room.

It’s amazing to look back and reflect on all this and no coincidence that this magazine is possibly the biggest ever with all our news and activities. We really do have so much to thank God for!

September too will be an exciting month as our Alpha Course starts, Heather begins her work, and sixteen of us also go away on a Pilgrimage together to Londonderry.

However, with so much happening we really do need each person who considers themselves a member of Carnmoney Parish Church to be involved as an active participant, donating your time, your money and your gifts to build the Kingdom of God here. Is there something that you can offer to us? God has given us all different gifts which are given for the benefit of others, and his church will grow as we use all those gifts and work together.

So please do get on board this year. We need many more participants to fulfil the many needs of Carnmoney, not just spectators: Will you play your own unique part in the exciting new thing that God is doing among us?

Andy

Rev. Andy Heber

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