Activity in St Andrew’s this week involves our usual 10.00 am services on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and we shall as usual meet in Friendship House for coffee which is open now on Thursdays and Fridays. In addition to coming to our St Andrew’s activities why not support Friendship House either as a customer or indeed volunteering to be a kitchen chef, a befriender or a Day Manager, which is the ultimate accolade!
Moving on to next week, our Annual General Meeting is on Sunday after the morning service and this year we have a vacancy on the Vestry, which is the management committee of the church. As with all committees , a turnaround of members brings fresh ideas into the life of our church.
Presently we are considering a very full report sponsored by government to look at all aspects of the heating and lighting of the church and hall. The report looks quite daunting but we shall persevere to a conclusion which could involve a heat pump which may indeed be adequate for the hall, church and Friendship House. We understand that loans or grants may be available so if you’re interested, there is a place on our Vestry just for you!
Our readings this week from Mark 10:35-45,, Hebrews 5: 1-10, and Isaiah 53:4-12 led Andrea on to the subject of leadership where she said ‘ As a nation we have all been shocked and appalled by the brutal murder of Sir David Amess on Friday, struck mercilessly down at his post as he took a routine surgery. Across the political spectrum it has been widely acknowledged that Sir David was an outstanding public servant’.
The readings focused on the concept of service and sacrifice. Jesus teaches that those in positions of leadership must set an example of humble service, they must even in effect be servants to other members of the community. They must do this to follow the example of the one true leader, Jesus himself, who as the gospel says…“he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many ( Mark 10:45) Andrea continued ‘The world is desperate for leaders of this kind. Leaders who recognize God’s blessing in their own lives, leaders brave and bold enough to bless the people and the world around them through their humble service. Servant leadership needs to flourish in the complexities of the vast organizations that have so much control over our lives— politics, business corporations, hospitals, universities, and churches and many others. And finally Servant leadership at every level is essential if the impact on all of us is to be a blessing and a force for good.’ We were all riveted by these developed truths on Sunday for which we were very grateful to Andrea. It is really worthwhile to come to one of our services – you will be refreshed!!