I am writing this, having just got in from a round of golf at Tilgate. I teed off at 6am all alone with the sun just rising and just enough light to see my golf ball.  The next few hours I was alone amongst God’s wonderful creation, with my golf clubs, a small white ball and several deer for company.

I was thinking what I might write in this weeks pew sheet – should I expand upon the need to have healthy doubts, such as Thomas in our Gospel reading, and always be willing to ask ourselves questions so that our faith remains real, open and vibrant. However, as I swung a golf club and then looked for my ball in the woods – my thoughts settled on the enormous challenging picture that our Acts reading offers of the early Church. A place where testimonies were given, there was no envy, there was no need and there was grace upon them all.

What about our Parish? As a family we have found the last year financially challenging as we made the decision that Liz would not seek paid employment in order to support the girls and our ministry in the Parish. This was okay apart from some rather large car bills, but God has blessed us even then – for several anonymous cash gifts arrived that exactly covered the bills. We also received two bags of food goodies at Christmas and a bag of Christmas gifts on our doorstep. This has meant that we have all felt loved, valued and provided for by a loving family – a family that this weekend bids goodbye to Meurig (thank you, Meurig, for all you have done). A family that can at times truly reflect the picture of Church, painted in Acts.

Thank You – the Burstons