Dear Friends,

It's Harvest-tide and thanksgiving has been very much on the agenda. One of the chief joys of Christian faith is that we can thank our heavenly Father for all our blessings. Imagine having no-one to whom we could say thank you for each new day and all that it brings.
Over my year here I have been especially thankful for all of you, the people of God here in this place.
The sheer scale and complexity of all that goes on in our two churches calls for an impressive team effort.
I was reminded very strongly of all this when we had our 'Parish Audit' a few weeks ago. Someone came in from the diocese to check that all our papers (registers, accounts, minutes etc. etc.) were in order.
I bumped in to the auditor in the parish office (the process doesn't involve me, praise the Lord!) and in the course of conversation told him that the three others in the office had 'saved my life'. Those three were Gill, Howard and Geoff, the administrator and churchwardens.
As I walked home afterwards I reflected on the truth of those words, and the further truth that they apply to everyone who puts their shoulder to the wheel in service of the Lord. We all help to save one another's lives from the endless busyness that results from trying to do everything ourselves.
Christ instituted the church to keep us working together and to remind us that we rely on one another. It doesn't matter if our role is just leading people through the printed words of the prayer book or the more creative gifts such as music or flower arranging – all are needed.
Jesus told us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). He didn't tell us to convince people about a set of beliefs, he didn't tell us to get people to come to Sunday services, he told us to make disciples.
We are disciples when we commit ourselves to following Jesus, to helping one another, to sharing the load.
The divine Harvest is not only of food, but also of souls, selves. I thank God daily that I work in the fields with such a gifted and committed band of fellow disciples. I pray that we may each, in our vocation and ministry, serve the Lord in holiness and truth (from the Collect for the ministry of all Christian people).

With thanks and very best wishes, Peter