by Reverend Gerry Bennet, Assisting Priest,
(from January 2001 Tidings)
Gerry’s Geriatric Glimmerings
Another Beginning
I like beginnings. The beginning of school was always a
special time in my life; the beginning of the Christmas Season filled me with excitement;
I still like the beginning of the day when everything seems fresh and new.
Here we are at the beginning of another year, another
century too. Seems hard to realize it is 2001. I can remember clearly 1951
(high school graduation), 1961 (almost college graduation), 1971 (fairly new school
administrator), 1981 (moved to a Jr. Hi), 1991 (rector of a church for the first
time). But enough of the past, it’s time to look ahead. To a new year, a
new beginning. How will we face our responsibilities as members of the body of
Christ?
Even with a new year there is a carry-over from the previous
year. Old projects continue on as new ones. Here at Nativity we never get
finished with the work our Lord has given us to do, and so we start the new year with a
bevy of continuing business. Outreach has been an important factor in our church
life and will continue to be so. Ministering to “shut-ins” and our own
congregation in times of immediate need will occupy much of our time. Congregational
worship is especially important in the life of the church. Pastoring to each other
allows each of us to function as a minister.
But the new year brings fresh challenges, not the least of
which is our new sanctuary! What a time that will be for the whole
congregation. We have had a good start; now it is time for the work to continue
apace. Ground-breaking will be an exciting time, as will the first slow, then
faster, then back to slow again building completion. Fr. Jim will take a much-needed
sabbatical leave, for further study.
We will face the new year as always, with a new, renewed,
and new-sprung enthusiasm that we always muster with a new project, forecasting new life
at Nativity and in the wider Church. This a new beginning for Church of the
Nativity. It is Anno Domini 2001. The past is past; the future is upon
us. Let us rejoice in it!
In Christ’s Love,
Fr. Gerry+
See Father Gerry's previous columns:
  
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