Dear Friends,

One of the highlights of last Sunday (when the Bishop presided over a wonderful service to celebrate Hope and Minsterley’s patronal festival) was the appearance of the Minsterley silver. Thanks to Sarah Edwards for retrieving this from the vault in Hereford Cathedral, where it has been safely stored for years on end. You will understand why such beautiful items, which are so incredibly valuable, are stored away where thieves cannot get in. The insurance alone would likely bankrupt the church if we were to retain it. Nevertheless, the flagon, the chalices and the plate were made for one purpose alone (did they really drink that much wine in the 18th century?): to be used in the administration of something even more precious – the body and blood of Christ.

In a similar way, we have something more precious than silver within each of us – the light of Christ. The Bible challenges us not to hide that light under a bushel (think Cathedral vault). I think it was Billy Graham who said, “if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Greg