Our gospel reading for this coming Sunday comes from John 15:1-8.  This is the passage that contains the last ‘I am’ statement of Jesus.   ‘I am the true vine’ is how the passage opens, before Jesus goes on to focus on the connections between the vine, its branches and the vine-grower who tends and shapes the vine. 

This passage is about connections and their importance to what is harvested from the component parts.  Without togetherness and cooperation and mutual activity, production does not yield what it could and should.  After a year of disconnection and detachment that many have experienced, we are more aware of the fact that we are better working together.

This seems an entirely appropriate reading to have on the day when we conduct our Annual General Meeting, As we read through the reports of our activities over 2020 we can see just how our connections with one another have led to the continuation of so many important things during the year, even when we weren’t able to meet in our normal fashion.

The contributions of members make a huge difference to those in our congregation and the wider community.  Using our skills and recognising how we can support groups like Boroondara Community Outreach enables us to participate in the care of others in our community.

May we each work to be the hands and feet of God where we find ourselves.

Blessings – Heather.