Thanksgiving & Anniversary Greetings 2008

[Betty]

You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness. (Psalm 65:9-11)

The summertime has now come to an end. The beauty of autumn colour, cool nights, and the fall season are upon us. The bounty that the many rains have helped to yield is here for us to enjoy. The Psalmist gives all praise and thanks to God for providing for such a bounty. We all know of course that it is with human hands, hard work, diligence, and machinery that the fruits of creation come to our tables. And it is for this bounty, that we are thankful.

I was digging out potatoes and the last of the tomatoes recently, and behold, once again, the sense of mystery that surrounds growth of produce from the soil. I marveled also at the purple potatoes that I grew. Yes, purple potatoes; inside and out.

The sense of mystery surrounding such things is where God comes into the picture. Many of us lose sight of the divine mystery. The thought that there is something bigger than us that holds all things together in balance. As St. Anselm of Canterbury in the year 1000 wrote of God, "that of which no greater can be perceived ". Think of anything that you can perceive, and God is greater than that. I encourage you to come to your church, where you have to opportunity to worship the God of abundance, mystery, and love.

We are so thankful for many blessings throughout the year, and it is to God that we can, like our for bearers, continue to give thanks. Thanksgiving for the holy mystery of growth, abundance, goodness and love. Thanksgiving for the times of memory and celebration at the churches anniversaries. Thanksgiving for our faith-filled lives, that come into a relationship with God, whose divine touch provides for us....never leaves us....never forsakes us.

May the blessings of this time of year, and prayers be with you all.

 Jamie

Reverend Jamie York


            The Life and Work of the Churches and Community

Sunday October 19th... 145 Anniversary Service @ Hasting
(1 service only @ 9:15 guest minister Rev. Paul Roth)

Sunday October 26th.... 127th Anniversary Service @ Roseneath
(1 service only @ 11:00 guest minister Rev. Judith Oliver)

Saturday November 8th Fall Supper @ Roseneath Alnwick Community Centre