Over the last 3 weeks we have been posting reflections based on the theme of MISSION, helping us to focus on the future. What is MISSION? What does that mean individually, as a neighbour, as a congregation in our parish and as part of a world wide family of God’s people in the world.
A hymn, written by Bernadette Farrell that we sang on December 10th last year spoke of mission so vividly at the time that I have kept a note of it ever since.
Longing for light, we wait in darkness: Hymn 543 in CH4.
It asks Christ to be our light, shining in our hearts, shining in his Church.
Making us his living word in a troubled world,
Making us his bread, sharing with those who need it,
Making us his building, sheltering others,
Using our many gifts to make his kingdom come.
It is an prayer for each of us as individuals and a prayer for the whole congregation and a prayer for the whole church.
There are big changes in the Church of Scotland just now;
some areas have moved through a period of union and are beginning to move forward again;
some are in the throes of discussion, often difficult and challenging;
we are just starting the actual process of meaningful conversation with the other 2 congregations in our area.
One of the main reasons for this restructuring set out originally at the start of this process was to be able to use our resources to become a force for MISSION in our country and in the world.
So, as we move forward over the next few months, we all need to consider our locality, what are our resources and gifts, and how can we all support each other on this journey that lies before us.