Greetings,

Monday 1 November it is All Saints Day, a day when the church looks back and recalls with gratitude the lives of those who have gone before us in the faith, and whose example has encouraged us.  They might be strong biblical characters, distant forebears, or those whose lives still remain painfully close to us.

It is easy to think of those people we would each call saints.  We tend to think   of those people who are particularly special and have made a personal impact, but the reality is that those we call saints are people just like us. 

Saints are people who decided to use their talents not just for self-interest but also to make the world a better place.  They are people who made mistakes, but were prepared to ask for forgiveness and try again.  They are the people who took care of others and strived for justice and peace in their daily living.  In short, saints are people who took Jesus’ message to heart – the message that calls us to have pure hearts, be humble, peace-makers and advocates for justice.

Yes, saints can be those who have gone before, but looking around our community I can say with absolutely certainty that we have saints living and worshipping among us.  We are blessed to know people within our congregation who, by their very living, make this world a more peaceful and just place as they care for all of God’s good creation.  

May each one of us endeavour to live in a way that shares the message of Jesus’ love through our words and actions. 

Blessings – Heather.