Greetings
We are living in extraordinary times. I don't remember such a degree of unsettled disorientation since 9/11. People are wandering around, looking dazed, wondering what will happen next. This is also a time of importance for our community, to encourage each other. Therefore, it is lovely to leave this message for you to read.
Here are some verses from 1 Thessalonians. These I read this morning with my colleague Aylene and we were encouraged. This is from chapter 3. Paul is writing about his joy after hearing the report from Timothy’s visit to the new Christian community that Paul had set up. This is probably his first pastoral letter to the churches, written maybe within 20 years of the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
Paul writes “Timothy has just now come back to us from you and has bought good news about your faith and love. Therefore, in all our distress and persecution we are encouraged about you because of your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus Christ make your love increase, and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your heart so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father.”
We have seen some wonderful acts of kindness in the university community. Students are now leaving to go home or go away with friends. They are doing their summer assessments online and some won't come back until the autumn. I, and student colleagues here in the Christian Union, have put out a note on social media. We are collecting food to take to the Genesis food bank. There is a steady stream of students coming in with tinned food and pasta. Yesterday we went out to deliver food to St Barnabas Church, Southdown and St Michael's Church, Twerton. Rev Catherine Sourbut wrote how moved she was when the three young Christians arrived to pray for the work that she is doing. It is always moving to see the value of encouragement, and between the generations too.
It is wonderful to convey with these words, I pray, of real encouragement and comfort; and to thank you in return for your encouragement to me. May God bless us all. So my prayer for you:
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face towards you and give you his peace."
Nigel Rawlinson
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