December  2024 Letter

 Trust in the Lord 

As I write this - my desk is a mess, filled with bits of paper of ‘Things to Do’. And I know from reading the news and different blogs etc that anxiety is a growing concern in our society.  People I talk to are always juggling work, children, home – work life balance etc.  It can feel like a high-speed train, that is going faster and faster that you just want to get off.    

Our church at High Wych  - St James and also  - St Mary’s, Gilston  are both open every day from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.  They offer you a sanctuary of peace.  A place to sit, to talk with God, to breathe a little slower and just ‘be’.  Our churchyards are also beautiful places of peace. Whether you can give yourself 5 mins or 25 minutes just do this for yourself. Whatever life is throwing at you at the moment, God is always available if you ask.   

Many times when I am anxious about things I give them to God and many times God has shown me that there is help for me if I ask.    

I remember being very worried about being heavily pregnant with my 4th son and having to drive to Letchworth and back twice a day – I kept thinking about ‘what if I go into labour when I am on the A1’??  ‘With all the children with me’??  Well, that didn’t happen – all was well and I had wasted so much time in my head trying to work out what I would do and worrying about something that never happened …However, I was given this scripture by a very wise person at the time … 
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding’  
Proverbs 3:5 And I now have this on the back of my cards as a reminder. And as I write this I am also writing it for myself.  A reminder for me and for you also. Only God knows our future, what will be and what will not be, he tells us not to worry.  There is a brilliant piece of scripture in Matthew 6:25-34 that you can google for its entirety and it ends with the wisdom…    

‘Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own’.    

So, whether you are concerned about your job, your children, Christmas, your health, the health of a loved one, come to the church.  Come and meet with Jesus now, or this Christmas, come and find out what following him can mean for you.    

We have family services at both St Botolph’s and St James, Pop Up Nativities, outdoor carol services at St James or on Terling Park housing development, Christingle services on Christmas Eve, we run Jimmy’s baby and toddler group, Jim’s café, Wednesday Welcome – all creating opportunities for you to talk with someone who can listen and help you.  In January we will be running an online Alpha Course so that you can find out more about the Christian faith.  If you feel the call to come – just come – we are here for you.    

Trust in the Lord 
Simply come and pray – Lord, help me. 
Every blessing Your Priest, Alison.    

Online prayer sessions - Tuesday mornings at 9.30 am – link below  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84557900182?pwd=MDhIR2ZBSFc4RXdxWW4zL3FJRGx0dz09 Meeting ID: 845 5790 0182   Passcode: 640464