The Vicar’s Voice September 2020
I think it could be said that September 2020 sees a new beginning and a new challenge for the Wilford Peninsula Benefice. Although we are still dealing with the restrictions and cautiousness around the COVID pandemic, and have over the last few weeks, experienced quite a heatwave, it is a time to move forward.
The new beginning is seeing our churches resume a new regular pattern of services and worship. Many of the services will be as you know them, but perhaps with a few different faces becoming more regular. We welcome Rev’d Kevan McCormack onto the team, and also Malcolm Salter as he takes up his role as Elder.
The new challenge will be ensuring that the pattern of services including the parishes of Sutton, Sutton Heath and Shottisham who join the “Rendlesham Cluster” will provide the worship that people expect and need.
Change and welcoming new times is not always easy, and sometimes many of us fight these changes, or take to accept them as the new normal. Especially in such times as we experienced throughout 2020. Whilst the past few months have been difficult, sometimes strange and to use the popular phrase -“unprecedented”, we have a lot to be thankful for, and coming together to pray, worship, praise, encourage and support one another is truly one of the blessings we should count each day.
I commend to you the poem by Danny Joyce. It’s definitely food for thought.
This life is a wonderful gift, accept it, embrace it.
It starts with a new day, wake up and greet it.
Life is a challenge, take it head on and meet it.
Full of opportunity, use it, don’t waste it.
This life is a mystery, unfold it, solve it.
It starts with meaning, wake up and understand it.
Life is a goal, take it head on and achieve it.
This life is precious, hold it, treasure it,
It starts with hope, wake up and feel it.
Life is a choice, take it head on and make it.
Full of knowledge, use it, don’t abuse it.
This life is adventurous, enjoy it, explore it.
It starts with a duty, wake up and perform it.
Life is love, take it full on and love it.
Full of beauty, praise it and behold it.
Life is life, live it, learn and grow
With love and blessings,
Rev Mandy