Manse Garden panorama
A panorama shot of the manse garden is a bit mind-bending, warping it out of its proper perspective. As we ride through the Omicron bumps of the pandemic, our view of what is normal may be a bit bent out of shape too.
Coming back from a January off, it seems long enough to have a desire to re-engage, to have some things one is itching to do. That quite apart from the itching that comes from a frenzy of weed and Kikuyu grass pulling in the garden today.
Did you notice the manse garden is massive compared to most gardens in 2022? No wonder I've been fending off real estate agents wanting to buy the property off me these past five years. It's an asset to the church, yet all we do is mow it. There are other things we could do with it, such as turn it into a community garden or work with a developer to divide it up and add value, or partner with a mission organisation needing a home space. Just thoughts to provoke.
There's a lot I don't like about the Covid time, but there is a lot to like about the way people have responded to challenges presented to them during it. Some snapshots would be to see a team stepping up to troubleshoot the sound desk issues, and then addressing the need for live streaming. Troubleshooting, research, up-skilling and implementation.
I love the way our youth team have delivered consistent and enthusiastic ministry throughout the Covid time, more than me and probably more than any other ministry of our church. Huge respect from me and the Session.
Session and BOM have done well through these times also. It's not easy running a church when you can't eyeball the people and for a lot of time you can't even physically show up. They work hard and are largely in a place of unity and positive spiritual growth.
A snapshot of success for me was watching Chris and Tim Smith handle the welcoming on our first day back live in person, well thought through, respectful and welcoming. thanks so much. Thanks also to Hera for dealing appropriately with our admin and building users, and especially to Lorna for dealing with a lot of planning logistics in my absence.
The church can be like a garden. I was waging war on some neglected corners at the manse today. Other parts are in good shape. My veges needed more water than I gave them this summer. Good job I'm not feeding the village from them. Our church will need some tending this year. The only thing that is certain is change. Are we prepared to innovate with the resources we do actually have and try different things? To have the perspective on our garden bent out of our preferred shape? Sometimes I think not, we have an element that resists change, but change will come anyway. As I preached a fortnight ago, I urged humble service as a priority over telling and correcting. Perhaps this is the way?
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3: 16-19 (NIV)