Minister's letter for October

Minister’s Letter October 2011 - “Delivering the goods”

I have a confession to make. I’ve been too soft. Not in the head (though family and friends may beg to differ) but in the garden. I’ve not been pruning enough. As a result the tomato plants, the roses, and goodness know what other plants have been spending all their precious energy making themselves bigger, higher, almost “fatter”. And the fruit, though it has come, has not been anything like as good as it could have been. Not enough, if you like to pass on to others.

Does that thought ring any bells? I hope so, because, as one local gardening expert told me the other day, “it’s been a good year for growing, but not for ripening”. The purpose of any plant is to produce fruit or flower. But, just like us, if it gets too big, the fruit, if not the flowers, suffers. The human race has been acquiring knowledge at an ever increasing rate, especially in the last 50 years. We have more means of communication than ever. But we’re not communicating so well, at least in term of better relationships worldwide, or even with communities. It was suggested on the radio this morning that letter writing might be a thing of the past. That would be sad, given that little “fillip” that you and I feel in the heart on receiving a hand or otherwise written personal letter.

We have been sold the lie that expansion – bigger business, global enterprise greater prosperity – is the key to success. Have we forgotten what happened to the Roman and other empires, including our own? Even the Internet itself is beginning to groan as it tries to handle tons more information. Will a “rival internet” spring up? And then another? Cuts are needed, but aren’t we in danger of taking the fruit along with the branches – making long serving employees redundant, losing precious skills that will be hard to replace? Can people be expected to go on “growing” in this world – living a normal confident, fulfilled life - without having to produce any fruit or end product, or when their end product – their skill or trade – is rejected or just no longer needed? Thank God for Jaguar’s decision to build a new engine plant in the UK.

One World Week 2011 - theme “Living One World” – 23rd – 30th October” reminds us. We are all interlinked across the world. But the great “plant” that is the human race is not producing the fruit of peace and prosperity for all because countries are treading on each other in their rush to expand. Hugh tracts of land in poorer countries has been bought by richer nations for their own produce. As a world we are in danger of having a huge delivery infrastructure – politics, paperwork and power – without actually having anything in the way of real development, really true. Why because there is a lack of confidence in the financial market. Now I wonder what God is saying to us? See Romans 8 vv 22-27!

Yet “Songs of Praise” has just celebrated its 50th year. Cultural rather than evangelical, watched by 5-7million people, it is still bringing the message of God’s love to many. Two important events at Rivertown this month are: (1) Confidence in the Gospel”, on Wednesday evenings 5th, 12th and 19th October, led by Andy Willett and friends as part of the URC Vision4Life year; and (2) Bible Sunday, 23rd October, preceded by a Public Bible reading on the high street on Thursday 20th October, with a Bible Exhibition celebrating 400 years of King James’ Bible.

Christians are confident people, but not complacent, because God’s love gives us value and a unchangeable At a time when some people seem to be ignoring the “God side” of their lives, the following lines seem appropriate: “When you sin, you cut the string (as if God in heaven holds each person on a string). Then God ties it up again, making a knot…bringing you a little close to Him.” (Lindy Black)

May all your growing produce ripe fruit. sharing God’s love,

Your friend and minister, Colin