Loading...Dear Friends in Christ,
As I am writing this, Belinda is getting ready for back surgery. As you may know, she has suffered back problems for quite awhile now. Her seat in front of the computer is filled with cushions but really does not help much. We keep her in our prayers that this surgery will give her relief and that she will have a speedy recovery. She expects to be out for about six weeks. Please keep her and all those on the prayer list in your prayers. Prayers help!
I'm sure all of you have heard the old saying "We don't miss the water until the well runs dry." I do know how much Belinda does for the Cluster. She is faithful and works hard. It will be difficult for the next six weeks to get out the bulletins for each church and to put the Cluster Newsletter together. Thankfully, Lonnie and Chris have familiarized themselves with all, or most, of the things that Belinda does and are going to help me in making this time go smoothly. However, if you want to help us, please don't hesitate to let us know.
Helping others is one of the tenets of Christianity. We are not in this world alone. When we need help, there is always someone there to give it. And so, when someone needs help, we must be willing to be the hands and feet of God. I am not saying this to encourage you to help during Belinda's absence, but as encouragement to live a Christ-like life in all that you do.
Audrey Hepburn wrote a wonderful poem when she was asked to share her "beauty tips." It was read at her funeral years later.
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry, For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed;
Never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself and the other for helping others."
What a beautiful view of life from a beautiful woman. It is something for all of us to emulate. Remember, that is in giving that we rejoice and in loving that we are loved.
We have a new feature in this month's newsletter. It is called Vestry Voice, by Chris Brown, Junior Warden, Stras Memorial. The purpose of these articles are to give a voice to each of the vestry members in each of our parishes. We invite the wardens and vestry members to tell us their thoughts, wishes, prayers, etc.
May God continue to Bless You and Keep You!
In Christ's Love,
Father Russ
