Moston Methodist Church

Minister – Rev Sharon Read

POSTED ON: 25 February 2021

Letter from our Minister 25/02/2021

Thursday 25th February 2021

Dear Friends,

Another month has passed and I have truly been uplifted by sharing your Faithful February stories and I hope that has been the same for you. Something that we all need. This week, we have heard to the exit strategies in place from the government as to how we exit lockdown and restrictions subject to the reviews every 5 weeks. Dates to help us know when we might be able to begin to physically see each other again.

Last week was half term and my son and I decided that we would start watching the tv series from 2005 called LOST. You may remember this series. It’s not my usual cup of coffee (tea) really but back in 2005 I was hooked on this sci-fi, mystical, science v faith storyline. We binge watched series one and I am itching to get into series 2. One of the scenes was about a moth: not things I like but John Locke (a 60 something) explains to Boone (a 20 something) that moths get a bad press. We talk about butterflies all the time. Exploring the island, they see a moth in its pupa. During pupation, larval structures break down and as they look closely a hole is beginning to appear. Locke tells Boone that with his knife he could quite easily help the moth to appear as it is currently struggling to get out. But if it was to be helped, the moth would not be strong enough to emerge fully. The episode carried on (along with the rest of the series). This brief scene has stayed with me. Last Saturday, Mike and I had been booked in for our vaccine as they had called faith leaders to make appointments. We both had sore arms on Sunday and Mike recovered well. Yesterday I felt so ill, so virusy, struggling to stand never mind walk. This morning I woke early before my 630am alarm and jumped out of bed. Had a coffee and despite it looking rather damp and miserable, I got dressed and headed out the door. I headed up towards Springfield Park and went round the pond a number of times. The more I went round, the more the sun appeared until it shone brightly. It reminded me of the scene of the moth. We need to endure the struggles, endure the darkness, endure the pain because the beauty of a new day, the beauty of a sun rise, the beauty of resurrection is coming. Lent is about the struggles that Jesus had as he spent 40 days in the desert, his journey to Jerusalem, the pain of Holy Week, and the death, the crucifixion. We persevere, we struggle on, we hold faith, for resurrection is coming, Easter is coming. Maybe next time a moth comes flying around me, I may just pause for a moment before screaming and think of its struggles before it emerges from its MARVELLOUS MOMENT!

And there is my clue for March. What marvellous moments have pointed you to God? Has something made you marvel at all that God does? Have there been marvellous moments in your faith journey that you would like to share? Please get in touch and share your MARVELLOUS MOMENTS for MARCH.

I will praise you Lord, with all my heart
I will tell of all the marvellous things you have done Psalm 9:1 NLT

Creator God, thank you that there is nowhere I can go that is beyond your presence. In your presence, I am blessed beyond measure. You have said that you will never leave me or forsake me, you are always with me. May I live a life of thanksgiving in your presence. Hear my prayer and fill my heart and my mouth with praise to you for your good gifts. May your love be the passion in my heart. May your joy be my strength when times are hard. May your presence be my peace that overflows. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

As we approach almost the full year of lockdown and restrictions, my family went in self-isolation on 16th March last year, we look forward to life being lifted slowly. This letter will move to a monthly one as of next week. We will continue to use these new channels of communication and I encourage you all to keep on communicating with each other in all the ways that you have discovered.

Stay safe. Stay well. Hold each other in prayer. Don’t forget, I would love to hear your story of faith. Please get in touch.

Love and prayers, Sharon

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