Ministry Team Letter for the Month

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​Dear Friends,

 

May is a month to be inspired! It’s full of inspirational people, stories, arts, events, activities and celebrations.

 

This year, flags will be flying on the 80th Anniversary of VE Day on 8th May. It’s also 80 years since Christian Aid began fundraising and campaigning to transform lives. Then there’s T. E Lawrence’s commemoration on 17th May, celebrating the life of this gifted man, who inspired so many other artists and writers. It’s also Purbeck Arts Festival towards the end of May, a feast of creative inspiration promoting the visual arts, poetry, music and singing. May Day events, tradition and folklore adds to the mix, as well as the uplifting changes to a wonderful Dorset landscape, whitened with May blossom.

 

During May, lots of inspirational people are also remembered within the Church on ‘saints days’. Remembered for their gifts and skills; of poetry, writing and preaching, music and hymns, visionary imagination and alternative lifestyles. People like the poet Henry Vaughan, hymn writer Charles Wesley and his brother John, spiritual writer Julian of Norwich and protector of hares, Abbess St Melangell. Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, is also remembered on 25th May. Did you know that tradition has it, he used to attract listeners by his beautiful singing and then preach the Gospel to them?

 

One of the pleasures of being part of a Church community, or any group where there are people of different ages and backgrounds and interests, is discovering the gifts and talents people have. Sometimes unrecognised and surprising!

In the Bible there is an acceptance that all kinds of gifts, talents, knowledge and skills are God-given and inspired by his life-giving Spirit. For example, in the Old Testament, being a skilled craftsman, able to work practically and artistically with wood, or stone and precious metals, was considered the result of being ‘filled with the Spirit of God’ (Exodus 31:3).

 

In the New Testament, St Paul speaks of other types of spiritual gifts. Gifts given by the Spirit to enliven the body of Christ, the Church, to help it flourish and grow in unity. (Ephesians 4:11, I Corinthians 12)

 

These gifts include: healing, serving, teaching, encouraging, leadership, generosity, evangelism and administration, as well as gifts such as speaking in tongues and prophecy.

 

‘We have different gifts according to the grace given us’ Romans 12:6

 

As we look to the future, we have an opportunity:

 

• Individually - to reflect on ‘the grace given us’ and how we have used, or might use and share our gifts in the future

 

• Communally - to be open to new and creative ways people might use their gifts and interests, talents and skills, to enrich our life together in God’s service and mission.

 

Finally … let’s pray for the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. To breathe new life and creative energy into all of us and to renew our community … with the gift of joy! 

 

  

The Revd’s Deborah Swann & Neil Kelly Team Vicars of Wareham Parish