A number people have asked me about the next vicar.

First I want to say that I’m not in on any of the discussions or processes that are happening for the discernment of a person to answer the call to be vicar in the Parish of Opawa St Martins. What I can say is that it will be most helpful for the parish to be strong and resilient not only to attract the right person but to ensure that ministry and mission happens well and responds to God’s call for us.

Obviously resilience happens when a number of characteristics are firmly in place. Four off the top of my head are:-

1. I have already spoken a bit about the financial state of the parish, suggesting that we each increase our giving by shouting the equivalent of a cuppa coffee each week. We need to be able to pay our weekly bills by the money that comes in each week.

2. Our worship needs to have life and variety to encourage and sustains not only those who are regulars but also those who are visitors and those who are looking.

3. Ministry and mission will be resilient when the gifts of each of us are in play. We can too easily rely on those leaders who are upfront. Each of us has an important part to play. An example I heard this week was of one of the older more frail of us noticing and affirming the actions of a carer of one of the youngest children.

4. We are working at both ministry to people who come to church and to people who don't come to church - ministry with breathing in and breathing out.

Have you noticed

On the altar we have a pair of candles.

They are a symbol that represents the light of Christ. It becomes a very important symbol to those who find themselves "in the dark" - those times when we feel isolated and lost.

The reference of holy scripture comes to mind "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”" (John 8:12).

You and I carry something of this divine spark to give light to others. Some of us might remember the Sunday school song that had the words about us caring light “you in your small corner and I in mine”.

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