Today we gather in the holy place God has appointed for us to meet in a most intimate way with God, to bring before our Creator all the loss and grief we have experienced. As ministers we will hold the space, and invite each of you to bring yourselves, those who you love and pray for, those you consider your enemies, and the whole world, to allow God’s grace and mercy to meet you in your deepest longing and need. We make this act of worship to God at the culmination of our Month of Compassion, where we have journeyed through the 5 weeks of focused reflection and action. We offer this space to our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, to do the work of grace that God seeks in the
depth of our aching, suffering world. And we enter this space trusting in God’s great faithfulness and love for all God has made.
For this reason we will not use the readings set for the day, but rather ground our service on the Gospel of Matthew 11: 28-30 ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We have asked each person to bring a piece of material (10cmx10cm) to represent a loss over these 18 months, and as Jesus invites us in this scripture, we will create a “yoke” from these as a reminder that God’s love, faithfulness, mercy and grace is able to transform even the deepest suffering and pain into something beautiful. For those who are unable to join for in-person service, please be assured that we hold you with us in the Spirit. Should you want, you are welcome to drop off a piece of
material this week to be included in what we will sew together.
As we receive today what God seeks to renew and transform in us, continue to pray for me as I continue to pray for you.

With much love and light on the week ahead.

Reverend Anastasia Huntley

29 August 2021