Dear Friends - Summer 2003

In recent days we celebrated the Ascension Day and also the Pentecost.  Might we reflect on these words of Jesus -

"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself" (John 12:32).

This verse speaks not only of Jesus' humility and self-sacrificing love at the Cross, but beyond that of Ascension Day we celebrate his ascended power.  He will come back again and change everything in the twinkling of an eye.

Pentecost reminds us of Jesus' promised power for us as he makes His witnesses.  We are His witnesses when we are committed to God's values, when we proclaim His message, share our bread with the hungry and share fellowship together in which God's love is actualised.  The Gospel of our Lord Jesus inspires us to look beyond ourselves into the community and to the needs of the wider world.

In this connection we may wish to pray (in the words of  E Hatch) - 

"Breathe on me, breath of God, Fill me with life anew.

That I may love as thou dost love,

And do what thou wouldst do." 

On Pentecost Day, Bishop Edward Darling confirmed 3 of our young parishioners - Craig Chestnut, Lauren Walker and Nziza Munyangaju - it was a pleasure to welcome the Bishop and his wife Patricia (daughter of a former Rector, the late Canon Mann) back to the Parish.

Our thanks go to the Rowan-Hamilton family for, yet again, giving over their home to the Church for fund raising.

Let me conclude by praying that the Holy Spirit will help us all lift up the name of Jesus in life and work.

Yours sincerely in Christ

Jerome Munyangaju