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Dear Friends
A first Christmas in a new parish is a voyage of discovery! You never quite know what is expected, or what is going to happen, until you are there. I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my first Christmas in Holytown and New Stevenston -the carol services, the Christmas Eve services, as well as the Sunday morning worship. I discovered that the primary schools, both in Holytown and New Stevenston, kept me busy with Christmas Concerts, musicals, nativity plays, services and assemblies. Keeping the momentum going, I was also invited to the Christmas Show at Christ the King Primary School, and the Community Carol concert in Holytown Community Centre which was led by children of the Primary Schools. All of these were good opportunities to meet people and get my face known. I believe that building relationships in that simple kind of way helps with the ongoing work of the church -it is amazing how often I can go into a house and there is a child who knows me from the school. Somehow the ice is broken immediately!
I have certainly enjoyed my first Christmas here -but I also have to say, that once Christmas and New Year is over, I always feel like taking a deep breath! Somehow 'normal' life seems to go on hold over the last few weeks of December, and while I thoroughly enjoy and value all the celebrations, I am always quite glad when a more 'normal' routine sets in again {if there is such a thing!).
If truth be told, even as I write these words, I don't think there is such a thing as 'normal' in the life of the church -and especially during Interim Ministry! I suspect that if we are looking for a 'normal' programme of activity in the church then the danger is that we have got ourselves in a rut and we have stopped looking for the way in which God is guiding us. I don't think God ever wants the Church to stand still. I am sure that He always has a plan for us, a direction he wants us to go, a goal he wants us to reach, a vision he wants us to work towards. As we enter a new year , it is my prayer that God will show us that way, and make it clear to us that vision - that, I believe, is our priority over the coming months.
It is also my prayer that God will go with you, and your loved ones and friends. May God bless you, and hold you in the palm of his hand at the beginning of the new year and throughout. Every blessing,
lain
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