For the past 16 months, our entire nation has been in a state of trying to adhere to the latest advice. Due to the pandemic and the constantly changing situation and new developments, we’ve all had to change and adapt. The constantly changing landscape and advice may have left us feeling that we are being pulled in different directions. The ongoing seriousness of the pandemic has meant that we are all continuingly needing to re -evaluate, re shape and work in new and unexpected ways.
As we see restrictions being lifted, new challenges arise, and we have to make decisions as to what is best for our own context and circumstances. We realise that we cannot simply reopen our doors for public gatherings and services like we did before we had even heard the word Coronavirus.
Some will be chomping at the bit to reopen completely. Others will want to take a more cautious approach and still others will feel extremely anxious and not feel ready to venture out yet. There is no right or wrong way to feel at the moment. These have been and remain difficult and anxious times and we have to be gentle with ourselves and with each other.
In the weeks ahead you may want to pray these words for our community and our Churches:
Long ago, you whispered into the hearts of men and women and nurtured within them hope. Carrying this hope they travelled through many adventures, through times of joy and sorrow, times of safety and times of danger,
Whisper those words of hope into our hearts during these troubling times. Remind us of the ways in which their hope was fulfilled, of the promise you kept never to abandon them.
Make that promise our promise too. Help us to place our hope in the child born so many years ago, the man he became, and His promise to return.
Every Blessing, Jenny
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