Dear Friends,

Like many of you, I have spent much of the morning watching the crowning of King CHarles III. In an age of mass communication, the desire for instant images and the consequent intrusion on privacy and erosion of mystery, I was deeply moved by the most spiritual action of the ceremony being removed from view: the anointing of the King for his service was a moment between just him and his God. The moment at which he was shown most clearly that nothing he is or does is in his own strength alone was a moment that was for him alone, even in the midst of a full congregation, and a worldwide audience.

Just as the Archbishop encouraged us to see that the call to serve, the call to love in action, is a call to all of us; so too perhaps this moment set aside reminds us to focus on how all that we can be and do as those who serve, as those who put love into action, is in a strength that is given to us, that comes from beyond us, is a gift from God. I invite you, sometime over this coronation weekend to take some quiet, personal time, as if screened from the demands of daily life, to ask for, or to reflect on the strength God gives to help you live out the calling God has given you.

God bless

Samantha

Reminder: Christian Aid week is approaching: at a time of so many international areas of need, it is a good time to put our love into action via a proven charity which works well on the ground in such areas. At St Mary's Lynton on 14th/21st there will be a retiring colection for Christian Aid.