From the Acting Vicar

I’ve now been part of St Mary’s Church in West Moors for 4 weeks and it’s been a fabulous experience so far. Hearing the school choir sing in church on Mothering Sunday, marching around the church on Palm Sunday, being host to the Accessible Service for the community at Sturts Farm have been just some of the highlights.

And I’ve been awe struck (and very relieved!) about the range of talents of the people stepping forward and getting involved in doing things in and around the church which makes all this possible. There’s those who enjoy the catering and baking and have served up multiple feasts in the time I’ve been here, there’s those who sort out the music and like to choose songs, there’s those who keep the church and the grounds tidy, and coming in to the church on Easter Sunday to see the whole place decorated with eggs, chicks, bonnets and other Easter themed decorations was just brilliant; I wouldn’t even know where to start with things like that so it’s such a blessing to encounter those with interest and talent. Seeing the extra-large fat fluffy chicks on the windowsill at the back of the church was one of my own kids’ Easter highlights.

I’m reminded about St Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth where he reminds them of the beauty of diversity in their church. He writes “There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12). Certainly, in the West Moors community I’ve discovered many people who are hands because they do things, feet because they go places to show love, ears because they’ve listened to me and explained how St Mary’s church does things and mouths because they’ve simply been a source of huge encouragement. I wonder if you recognise yourself in any of that.

When people ask me what West Moors is like, that has become my answer – there’s a brilliant diversity of talent – it’s the body of Christ doing its thing well. And that’s also a reminder to us all that there’s a place for all of us in the church, no matter our skills or preferences. Therefore, we should continue to encourage each other to keep on doing what it is that we are doing because we need each other to be the body. Imagine if we were only made of hands, or noses, or just legs. Perhaps don’t imagine that if you want to sleep at night.

What part of the body do you think you are? What makes you unique in the way that you encourage others? Let’s celebrate our differences as we journey together in Christ.

Jeff