Ministers’ Letter

Dear Friends,

As we read the news in our papers or on our screens we might feel saddened and dismayed by the way the world seems so divided and self-absorbed.  However people often remark to me that in the course of their daily lives they meet people who show them kindness and consideration in such a way as to lift their spirits. Often these acts of kindness are simple things that make a big difference.

As I walked down Bromley High Street recently I came across this wall of kindness. It is a very simple idea: half a dozen pegs screwed into the wall. The words above the pegs invite people to take a coat if they are cold and to leave a coat if they don’t use it anymore. Every time I have walked past the wall since there have been different coats on the hooks as some have been taken and new ones left. The wall of kindness idea seems to have been embraced and used by the local community.

At the beginning of March, the Christian church will be marking Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Traditionally this is time for repentance, fasting and praying when Christians reflect on the brokenness of the world and are encouraged to turn back to God.  We do that by recalling the life of Christ; a life characterised by acts of kindness and compassion that touched and transformed the lives of individuals and which culminated in a huge act of selflessness for the whole of creation. Christ’s sacrifice for us at Easter can inspire and challenge us as we journey through Lent to show his compassion, understanding and kindness to our neighbours near and far and to do what we can to bring healing and hope to our world.

 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “   Matthew 25:37-40

Yours in Christ

Karen

Rev Karen George