Letter from the Minister

July/August Newsletter

''Give thanks with a grateful heart!''

July-August is usually a time for winding-down for many educational and religious institutions as the year draws to a close. Tests and exams are done, and holiday plans are in place. Conference, General Assembly and Ordinations have taken place, and business booms for removal companies as they busily cart years of clutter from one manse to another. The months that follow offer us the opportunity to pause, reflect, share, and rejoice in the good things that God has done in the year that is about to pass. In that space of waiting, waiting for changes in the season and waiting for the new school and church year to begin, we are offered that space to hold in tension what has been and what is yet to come.

In the last few years, these months of waiting have been, for me, a time and season of thankfulness. I have intentionally listed the numerous blessings received from God in the year and have not just given thanks in prayer and worship but also reflected on ways in which I could express my thankfulness to God in action and service.

Thankfulness is a complicated state of being. When life is good, and one is getting what one wants, it is easy to achieve. When life is hard and nothing goes right, it is hard to be grateful. The Bible has much to say about being thankful and it is full of hope, of God's unshakeable promises, and the sufficient reasons to give thanks in all things. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul stresses that we give thanks in all things and not for all things: "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." To give thanks in loss, pain or uncertainty requires faith. It means surrendering our complaints, fears and desires to God and acknowledging he is still good and sovereign.

Some special days and festivals in the liturgical year – Harvest, Mothers' and Fathers' Days, Birthdays, Christmas and Easter, propel us to engage with the important theological concepts of gratitude and thankfulness. Once a month we join in the great prayer of thanksgiving, as we break bread together during Holy Communion or the celebration of the Eucharist, as known by our siblings from other traditions. (Eucharist is derived from the Greek word 'eucharistia,' meaning 'thanksgiving').

Research from the fields of psychology, neuroscience and health show that practising gratitude can have a profound impact on our well-being. The state of thankfulness stimulates one's limbic system, producing more dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters often known as 'feel-good' chemicals associated with higher levels of happiness, calmness and motivation. Being thankful is good for us! We are, indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

As a church and Circuit, we have so much to be thankful to God for in this church year: Trinity's 150 years of service and worship; the legacies of our faithful partners in the gospel: Rev Keith and Deacon Selina, who will be leaving us soon; the willingness and dedication of the lay and ordained, who give so freely of their time and energy; the commitment and involvement of our congregations day by day, week by week; and for the beauty of the countryside in which we live and work. These are just a few examples.

What do you give thanks to God for in this church year? How would you translate your thankfulness into acts of gratitude that would tell others of the grace and love of Christ in your life?

In the next two months, I invite you to join me in intentionally giving thanks for all the Lord has done for us this year.

I wish you every blessing and pray that the waiting months of July and August will be a time of rest, spiritual restoration and most importantly, a season of thanksgiving.

Love and blessings,

Georgina