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Dear Friends; 
The Gospel readings for the past few Sundays have been about Jesus calling the disciples. Is there some way in which we need to hear for ourselves the ‘Follow me’ that Jesus said to them, the invitation, the recognition that Jesus sees something in us? I am not sure how many of us really feel chosen to follow Jesus. There are quite a few tired people in our congregations. People do jobs because there is no one else to do them. Sunday mornings are an opportunity for others to tell us about things that need fixing or cleaning. I think that we need to address these issues in the long term, but in the short term, perhaps we could find ways of supporting and encouraging one another. Maybe we could thank people more often for doing what they do. Maybe we could offer to help them, even in a small way.
This month, in the two congregations, we ordained one Elder (Pamela Galliers) and inducted four Elders (Pamela, John Wright, Beryl Williams and Gwyneth Smith). They have been called to be Elders. In the months to come, remember this, not just the Elders, but all of us; remember what they have been called to do, and let us give them our support.
I came across this illustration of what Jesus calls us, not only Elders but all of us, to be. I cannot remember its source:
There was a little girl who had a brief line in a church drama. All she had to say was, “I am the light of the world.” She rehearsed it until she knew it by heart. As the play approached she was confident, but her mother was nervous. When the little girl saw all of the people in the congregation she became nervous and forgot her lines. Her mother, who sat in the front row, tried to prompt her. Slowly the mother's lips formed the words, “I am the light of the world.” The little girl straightened and with a loud, confident voice announced, “My mother is the light of the world.”
And so are we all. Best wishes in 2009.
Pat
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