But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will grow wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, walk but never tire.

Isaiah 40: 31

Dear Friends,

Apologies for the delay in sending this. I had a very busy and stressful week or two in my parish job, and spent most of last weekend working.

Around three weeks ago, a lone gunman walked into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and fatally wounded nineteen children and two teachers, plus injured seventeen other people. You cannot help but ask yourself ‘where was God in that; where was the hope in that situation.’ I guess the hope has to come in that with every tragedy of this kind, eventually those who make the laws in the US will come to their senses and change things for the better. I have included a couple of articles which I think are worth sharing.

After reading this e-bulletin a few weeks ago, one of my sons commented that it was a particularly depressing edition, with all of the bad things happening to the environment, with the whole Rwanda business, and everything else that was going on at the time. I felt bad that there was nothing positive to share. Unfortunately, though, I feel there is a duty to share things that you may not be aware of, particularly when our actions now make for bad consequences in the future. My hope, indeed our hope, is that by sharing the facts, enough people will want to get involved and start making a difference. As the famous quote from Saint Teresa of Calcutta says: – 

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

Talking of hope, this leads me to advertise our Conference, ‘Hope is a Verb with Its Sleeves Rolled Up’ taking place between the 22nd to 24th July at the Hayes in Derbyshire. Last year’s Conference was excellent, with great speakers, workshops, and a real sense of working together to make the world a better place. Don’t be shy – come and join us. We look forward to meeting you there. If you have young people in your family they will be especially welcome. I am taking my 21 year old, and my 14 year old. It really can appeal to all ages.

Last weekend, the extended Bank Holiday meant that as a country we could officially celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years as monarch. What an achievement this is. How many people do you know who have worked tirelessly for 70 years? She has been in the public eye for all of this time without breaking down or wavering from her duties. Only recently has she cut back on her engagements, and suffered more frequent bouts of ill-health. 
If you feel you had no cause to celebrate, there is an article in News and Comments that will cement that view.

 

 

Sharon (Editor)