For some of us, looking back to our past work or relationships can be a painful process as we go into a new year, but I've had a couple of "blasts from the past" which have encouraged me!
Last night I spoke to Mannofield Church Guild ( and yes there were two gentlemen among the gathering!?) and did everything but sing and tap dance! When another lady asked me what I spoke about, I said I told a few jokes, did a Bible reading and several prayers, spoke and answered questions, drank a cup of tea ( with a fly chocolate sweety...yes just one!?) as well as enlist help to show a DVD about the work and variety of The Diaconate.
The highlight for me, was going over the old ground of my first full time post as Development Co-ordinator at Shettleston new Church in the east end of Glasgow. My trusty helper googled the church afterwards and we saw on screen the extension to the building, which, by the grace of God, the congregation, myself and a small team, had raised the 600 K required for refurbishment. It was a sigh of satisfaction and nostalgia as I looked at the photos.
A second reflection came from one of the Session Clerks from one of the locum churches I'd been serving at (the year before last.) The SC had been unable to access her funeral information for the Parish records, and was requesting that I resend this info about deaths and funerals "on my watch.." Again, a wee sigh, when I remembered some of the families of the deceased- their interest in giving me facts about their recently passed loved one, or indeed, the families who argued about what should and should NOT be said!?
Then today I had the joy of praying with two individuals, one a churchy person, the other not- one whose husband had been very ill and was now recovering, the other who had been thrust into the role of deciding where next her elderly relative should live after a stay in hospital. This coupled with what to do with the property she had to leave ( and the family home with all its memories) to go into assessment and care.
Real people situations in 2018. May God help us all to give adequate time to support others as sensitively and reliably as we can, and to know His wisdom to what we say "no" to!
Dot
PS A result of my first conduct of worship on Sun Jan 7th, was a husband telling me that after she heard the sermon, his wife decided to take to heart what had been said. No, nothing mind blowing or spiritually challenging, but the seemingly simple act of having the confidence to ask her boss if she could have another go at learning a new skill, which she's given up on, and which I apparently, gave her the confidence and nudge to retry... God moves in mysterious ways!? Byeee.
