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Friends,
All around us here at the manse transformations are taking place!
Not only has the whole approach to the manse changed with the new roundabout and road layout, but so too has the view with new houses appearing daily in Cloverfields, the new estate across the road. Although I have to say it is good to have some company up here on the top of the hill at last - comforting to look out and see lights in the windows just over the road through the trees.
But there are also transformations in the manse garden - the leaves on the trees are starting to turn and the first few have already fallen.
The weather too is transforming with dew on the grass, cooler days and darker nights.
And of course, as you know, life has been transformed for us with the birth of our first grand-child, our grand-daughter, Lowenna and I am sure there will be many more transformations to come in our lives as a result of her birth!
However, there are also transformations taking place within our Linkage.
Holytown has transformed itself by being a church which offers the community a Holiday Club, something for which Presbytery commended us following our recent Quinquennial or Parish Visitation, recognising the great potential for mission which Holiday Clubs embrace within a community.
Wrangholm too is transforming and as permissions are granted and funding approved, work shall soon begin on transforming a building which is currently used for a few hours a week into a building at the heart of the community, a twenty-four/seven building serving its community and with its church focused on mission.
Presbytery too is in the midst of transformation as we seek to reduce our ministry numbers but yet still provide churches focused on mission.
Transformations always bring change and change is never easy, for there will always be a sense of loss attached to change but we have to transform or churches will be managing decline.
We are called to be a Missioning Church, that's the primary principle laid down by the General Assembly during this time of transformation, called to take Christ to the world, to tell people of Jesus in whatever way we can, to touch people's lives with the love of God and to try and turn all lives to service of him - and what a wonderful transformation that would be.
At the start of a new session for many our church organisations fresh ideas are always sought.
What we have to remember is that we should be looking to transform and no matter how difficult it may be as we do, we have to remember as we plan for transformation the words of the Apostle Paul who said in Philippians 4:13,
"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Love and Blessings
Caryl
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