Covid-19 

Dear Friends
I hope you are all keeping safe and well as we end another week in partial lockdown. As time passes we continue to receive positive news and a further easing of the sanctions as we move towards a different form of normal. It is important that we continue to follow the guidance, so that we can avoid further local outbreaks and maintain public safety.
I was so pleased this week to see the photographs of the private investiture by The Queen of Captain Sir Tom at Windsor Palace. He has been a real beacon of hope during the Coronavirus Pandemic and has connected with many people through his mammoth fundraising for the NHS. In his own way he sought to play his small part to help others and has been publicly recognised for his amazing efforts. He is an inspiration to us all to be so motivated and active at 100 years young!
Over the last few months during the lockdown I have been walking around the local area in the evening. I have been amazed to see the beauty that is around us and been fortunate to see an array of wildlife as I have walked along the local canal towpath. What has struck me is the smiles and friendliness of total strangers and the opportunity to exchange a few words of greeting. Over the last couple of weeks the stillness of the canal has changed to the gentle sound of narrowboats as more people seem to be traveling the waterways and admiring the scenery. During these walks I have been admiring some wonderful gardens and the gifts and talents of the gardeners. I have admired one garden in particular that has been pristine throughout with a wonderful display of plants and flowers and immaculate lawns. Over the last few weeks the gardener (an elderly gentleman who is always in his overalls but keen to talk) has been focusing his efforts on a patch of grass on the front lawn. I assume the sun earlier in the year has scorched the grass and he has tried valiantly to repair this. I have watched with interest as he laid seed with a range of  bright and shiny paper distractions to warn off the birds. The distractions seem to be attractions and the seed quickly eaten.
Yet more seed was applied and this time bright computer discs attached to string were used to stop the seed being stolen. It seems this also failed and the gardener has now resorted to patches of new turf which he is trying to blend in. He has spent hours preparing the ground with sand and soil and careful raking. He tells me the problem is not really the birds but the poor quality soil and a problem with drainage. He is certainly not going to be beaten and I watch with interest how his labours will develop. This reminds me of the familiar parable of the Sower. Whilst we refer to it as the parable of the sower we often focus more on the types of soil than the importance of the Sower.
The parable is on one level simple : the sower Jesus Christ scatters his seeds generously and it ends up on four different types of terrain. Some lands on the side of the road, some on rocks, others in  thorny soil and some in good soil. The first three groups of seeds die and the seed planted in the good soil flourishes. Perhaps we immediately want to be like the good soil.
If we think more about the sower, Jesus scatters the seed (the word of God) on all types of ground he throws it in many places and does not just plant it in the good soil. The soil represents our Hearts and our willingness to receive the message. The seeds are spread widely as the word of God is available to all and the message is clear that he came to rescue sinners with a purpose of bringing salvation to all.  Sharing a message through a parable gives us the opportunity to focus on something we can relate to, but with a deep and meaningful spiritual message. The meaning of this parable is twofold. Firstly it shows that Christ came to share the Word of God with everyone and secondly to show us that different soils in our life can keep us from sharing God’s truth with others. The parable ends with “he who has ears to hear, let him hear. This is our challenge to think about the meaning and take action and not just hear the words.
Some seed fell onto the path – it was likely left out in the open and picked up by the birds. This would be us ignoring God’s word and failing to take action.
Some fell on rock – With little or no depth the seed cannot grow. Perhaps people know the word of God but when tested have no foundation to their faith.
Some fell among thorns – the seed is taken over by powerful thorns. For us we could hear the word, but not accept it or we could be fail to stand our ground or share our faith when challenged by others.
Some falls on good soil – and yielded a crop a hundred times more than was sown. This reminds us to share the gospel message and faith with others so the seed grows and the Kingdom of God flourishes. Words and actions can make a huge difference sometimes in the most unlikely places. Pope Francis reminds us that “Although the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God”
Malcolm Guite a Christian poet has produced a powerful sonnet entitled Good Ground reflecting on the parable of the Sower.
I love your simple story of the sower,
With all its close attention to the soil,
Its movement from the knowledge to the knower,
It takes the tenacity of toil.
I feel the fall of seed a sower scatters,
So equally available to all,
Your story takes me straight to all that matters,
Yet understands the reasons why I fall.
Oh deepen me where I am thin and shallow,
Uproot in me the thistle and the thorn,
Keep far from me that swiftly snatching shadow,
That seizes on your seed to mock and scorn.
O break me open, Jesus, set me free,
Then find and keep your own good ground in me.
Perhaps you may find time this week to use the Sower’s Prayer
When my heart is hard,
Help me sow.
When my heart is shallow,
Help me to grow.
Whatever my heart’s thorns,
Help me let go.
The Sower Answers:
Listen to me speak, I knock at your door.
Seek me, find me, I will give you more.
Loosen your grip, return to me, I will restore.
When your heart is open, into your life holy rain I will pour.
Please do continue if you are able to pray at 6pm each evening and join with others from our Church so that we can unite in the power of prayer.
Please pray for those on our prayer list.
Barry, Linda and family.
Ashley, Debbie and family.
Frank & Barbara
Margaret W
Jane
Ken & Pat
Rev Alec
Don
Margaret B
Alan
Doreen
Pat
Danni
Beaulah
Alan & Heather
Linda and family
Pauline, Jay, Maria & Eddie
If you would like to join the Sunday Morning Service by Zoom at 11.00am
Join Zoom Meeting – just click on the link (from 10.45am) and you’ll be placed in a waiting area until the host lets you in. This is a safeguarding measure.
Please note the contact details have now changed and the link is again different from last week – this should now remain the same for the future
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768?pwd=ZDB3UXhyZmtJVFhqNXlLbEZhd3gvZz09
or simply click here.
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
Password: 909013
Dial by your location
0203 481 5240
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
0203 481 5237
If you are dialling into the services instead of joining them via Zoom online – please use one of the phone numbers shown above and enter the same Meeting ID and Password above.
You are also very welcome to join a telephone act of worship each Sunday at 10am by calling the number below and using the codes  as shown.
Dial: 0333 0110 946
When asked enter the
Room number: 47927697 #
When asked enter the
Guest PIN: 1145 #
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit youtube channel including new material added weekly from Rev Linda, Rev Jeff and others at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here.
Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
With every blessing
Ian