Message from our minister, Clare

Annwyl ffrindiau/Dear friends

A positive news story made it onto the BBC’s website this week. It was a story about how puffin numbers on Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, had hit record high levels for two years in a row. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales said that seabirds are facing multiple threats on land and at sea, from pollution and bird flu to offshore renewables, and it was a very pleasant surprise to log an extra 8,000 more puffins this year.  I noticed how this made me feel. It made me happy, who can fail to feel uplifted seeing photos of puffins and hearing of them faring so well in this part of the world? However, at the same time I also found myself wondering if this leap in numbers was symptomatic of other parts of the ecosystem struggling, could it be linked to climate change for example?

Sometimes we can allow ourselves to overlook the moments of hope and joy because we are so aware that it is not the whole picture, that elsewhere there is a different story, a story marked by suffering and loss. But the season of Easter is a reminder for us of the importance of spotting life and renewal, of not allowing fear or a sense of responsibility to prevent us from championing and celebrating what is thriving.

One of last month’s lectionary Gospel readings was of Jesus saying, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10). It is a Bible verse often used by Christian Aid to inspire supporters to give, act and pray in Christian Aid Week and throughout the year.

Earlier this year I spent a morning in Penarth hearing from representatives of Christian Aid Kenya and their partner organisation, Beacon of Hope, which will feature in this year’s Christian Aid Week materials. We heard how women living in overcrowded conditions in Nairobi had been empowered by Beacon of Hope to create mini gardens which provided vital nutrition for their families as well as a source of income from selling surplus produce. Beacon of Hope lived up to their name; in the face of overwhelming need they started small, addressing local issues with local solutions in a project that wasn’t particularly ambitious in terms of scope, but in terms of impact, it is hugely transformative. The problems of the world are many but Christian Aid and organisations like it give us the opportunity to join our efforts with those of others across the UK and bring hope and life.

With election day approaching the world can feel heavy but let us not lose sight of what we can and do achieve, of what we can achieve in partnership with others and of all that is wonderful and to be celebrated.

I am looking forward to being with you from the start of next month and finding out more about what brings life to you in the congregation.

(And if you are in need of a boost, Google puffins and Skomer for a pick-me-up.)

Pob bendith/Blessings

Clare

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