Dear Friends,

                            I have just returned from the District Retreat and the question I’ve been asked by quite a few people if I had a good rest. I find that a hard question to answer but then I looked up in the Dictionary what rest meant. It is defined :-

1. cease work or movement in order to relax or recover strength

2. allow to be inactive in order to regain strength or energy.

So yes I had a good rest. 

The retreat was organised by Revd Julie Hulme and took place at Offa House. It was a lovely place to be and encouraged rest with good food and beautiful surroundings. The company was good too with presbyters and deacons from the District joining together in fellowship.

The first day included two sessions led by Dr. Anthony Reddie, which were challenging and stimulating, on ”Our Calling as Disciples of Jesus” and “The Mission of the Church in the 21st Century”.  They left us with plenty of food for thought during Tuesday which was left for reflection.

I took myself into St Gregory’s Church and there did a bit of reading until I was drawn to the Communion Rail to pray. That began for me a spiritual journey which took the next few hours and was enabled by both place and people. It was a journey which helped me to be assured again of my calling.

As I continue to reflect I realise that it is not just about resting but resting in God, of putting aside the work and the worries so that you can rest in the presence of God and be open to receiving. I am not saying that God does not come to us in the busy – ness of our lives, far from it. But I am saying that we need sometimes to dedicate time to our relationship with the God we know in Jesus Christ so that we can be renewed for our continuing life.

I am saying nothing new or earth shattering but sometimes I believe we can forget and therefore need to be reminded. It is not only important for those in ordained ministry but all those who follow Jesus Christ. Part of what we do in our Church life should be to enable such times, both for individuals and for groups.

The retreat came to an end and we are all back to our daily routines, better for our “rest” and ready in the power of God to serve him.

Thank you to all who enabled our Retreat.

Thanks be to God.

Anne Smith