Letter from Clare
The news will have spread that I am to be leaving this group of parishes in July for new work in Grundisburgh, Burgh, Boulge and Hasketon. If only the Good News of the Gospel spread as quickly, my job would be a great deal easier!
It is not yet the time to start saying goodbyes and thank-yous that will come in due season, but it is time to say that this move though sad, is right for me and right for you. We have shared a lot together; I have cried, agonised, laughed and rejoiced with you, individually and as parishes. I have shared my faith with you, and you have shared yours with me, but sharing the Gospel and living the Good News of the Gospel, is about always being open to new insights and new understandings, about being challenged afresh.
To live the Gospel is to be prepared to take risks, to set out in faith. Christian Aid Week which we celebrate this month affirms this, that if there is to be justice in the world, if poverty is to be made history, then it involves putting our comfortable living on the line, and being prepared for change. Change, which might involve sacrifice, change which might involve us in seeing God at work in places we didn't expect.
We celebrate Pentecost too, this month, and in Earl Soham we are doing that in style with the launch of a new Pentecost brew from the Earl Soham Brewery. Pentecost is symbolised by fire and flame, the Spirit came and set the disciples afire with zeal and enthusiasm for the sharing of the Gospel. Fire has the potential to purify, to destroy, to weld together, to empower. The Spirit too, was seen a breath inspiring, breathing in new life.
My prayer for us all is that the Spirit may be at work among us, purifying us where we need forgiveness and a new beginning; destroying in us all that is not good and not of God; welding us together in prayerful and loving support and ministry and empowering us to be Christ's body alive and at work here in this place. My prayer for all of you is contained in this song:
Here in this place new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away, see in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in, the lost and forsaken, gather us in the blind and the lame; call to us now, and we shall awaken, we shall arise at the sound of our name.
Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, light years away, but here in this place the new light is shining, now is the Kingdom, now is the day. Gather us in and hold us for ever, gather us in and make us your own; gather us in- all peoples together, fire of our love in our flesh and our bone.
Words and music by Marty Haugen
Clare Sanders