From Sunday when Shirley and Mark (who were both baptised) and Caroline and Sam were all confirmed by Bishop Mark at a moving ceremony at Worth Abbey to the events of the General Election on Thursday, it has been quite a week in many ways.
I believe that our readings today offer an insight into both.

In the reading from Acts, Peter realises that the Holy Spirit is being poured out to everyone and our Gospel reading tells us of a love that loves one another in the sacrificial and abundant way of Jesus Christ.
It is this pouring out of the gift of the Holy Spirit that Shirley, Mark, Caroline and Sam experienced on Sunday as Bishop Mark placed his hands on their heads. It is the receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, that is open to all that then prompts us, and gives us strength to love one another just as Jesus loved us.

As a New Home Group met in Maidenbower Vicarage this week for the first time, as the Pilgrim Course and Confirmation Group merged, both Liz and I could feel that love for one another as we celebrated the events of Sunday. This love also prompts some brave individuals to express that love for one another by seeking to serve as Members of Parliament.

As I write we have just learnt that Henry Smith has been re-elected as our MP. In his service for Crawley, Henry will be making sacrifices as he continues to serve us and we must uphold him and his family in prayer. We must also pray for those who offered to serve but were unsuccessful and who must now discern their futures. We think especially of Noreen and Geoff’s son, Chris.

Steve