Dear Friends, My mother always said I should think before I said, ’Yes!’ And here I am again, having eagerly offered to write a letter, in place of the Minister’s word, and now desperately thinking, ‘What can I say to all of you in the Ashbourne congregation?’ I suddenly feel very small and worthless! But only briefly. That feeling cannot persist in the face of such a wonderful Annual Church Meeting that many of us shared this week. It was a privilege to know the presence of the Holy Spirit and to experience the power of prayer. And the teaching and spirit-led support of our preachers, particularly over recent weeks, has been an encouragement to all of us to affirm one another, to use our strengths and shore up our weaknesses, and to go forward in the Lord’s Name. At this time between Easter and Whitsun, Passover to Pentecost, we should make sure that no-one feels small and worthless. The Lord has risen and He sends His Gift of the Holy Spirit for us to use to bring others to Him. What a trust He has in us! What a commission He has given us! Outside my window as I write is a magnolia tree. It is so perverse, it will insist on trying to bloom when the last cruel frosts of April will decimate its waxy blooms and streak the dawn- tinged cream with brown. Each year we sigh and say,’ Perhaps next year all will be well.’ Then this season a most amazing sequence took place. Yes, the frost attacked the opening buds but then the recent wonderful sunshine days encouraged the later buds and now we have more blossom than we can ever remember. I believe our faith can be like that. We can give up and feel damaged by life around us but God’s love is always there and when we respond, we can become more powerful than we could ever hope. God’s great love for us, shown constantly in His creation and in the giving of His Son, should daily remind us of our importance to Him so that no-one can ever be small and worthless. And collectively I pray, that during this season of renewal we will gather strength and work together. As James, the brother of Christ, said, ‘My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it?’ May God bless us all, Val Howse |