One year on!

As we mourn the death of Queeen Elizabeth II we learn from her a sense of devotion and duty. We see witness over many years of her service being rooted in her strong Christian faith and I pray that we learn from her. I am touched by the massive respect people had for her, vocalised by people all over the world. As people in Commonwealth Countries discuss their relationship with the Instutution I will be interested hear the debate.

I had a two week holiday to take before the end of August and travelled to St Vincent by boat up the coast of the Grenadiens. It was an adventure as not all ferrys left on time or even the day I expected! At one stage I had to charter Banana Joe’s speed boat and bounced over to Union Island! I visited and learnt something of St Vincent, including George Town, Fort Charlotte, the Botanic Gardens, Chauteubeair and the Dark View waterfall. I also met up with the Scouts at their HQ and was able to attend a camp on the Saturday, teaching rope stuff, international Scouting and Firelighting.

I have had one Child Blessing and one Christening since my return, and last week we had our first 10am service and our first once a month Sunday@4.30pm service. Following the exciting large number of people for the Christening, last weeks congregation were disappointing. This coming week we have a back to Church Sunday with bakes and refreshement as people come in. We will see. Sometime you ask God why? All we can do is pray and try to step out in faith the best we can.

Schools returned this week on 5th Sept, with the teachers coming back the week before. I had been asked to do a training session on ‘Teaching on Positive Emotional Health’ and that sort of went OK. I think we have to come up with a few things to put in place to support them. I spoke at the orientation of 1st Year Students at MacDonalds College and then at the first assembly and have been trying to get involved over this week. I had two students seek me out to talk about some important issues which is good. At the Primary School I was around to speak to new parents at the Preschool induction and then did a Welcome Back Assembly on Wednesday. My theme was on making the right choice of direction using ‘I am the Way the Truth and the Life’

As I review the year, I have had to get used to a different pace of life and - as many of you know me - I am not good at sitting and waiting, I want to be in action. It has taught me to slow down a bit and be a bit more laid back about what happens. I do need however clarity of my role within Church and Schools. Is the long term plan to replace me with someone to do the same or is it for me to train and support others to do my role when I am gone. I think Option 2 is more sustainable but the challenge is then to find people willing to step up.

The house I mentioned in my last News Update has been shored up and a lot of repairs need to be done in the yard and around but the house is safe for now. Thank you for your prayers.

Please pray:

• The Youth group restarts on 28th Sept
• I am off to the Caribbean CWM conference in Jamaica from 16th – 24th Sept
• Our new Sunday@4.30pm 1st Sunday of the month service from 4th Sept and will trial until Christmas
• Family time (Messy Church) once a month has reduced in numbers and I don’t know why
• We are in need of more on our leadership team
• Belair Church I now need to go to just on 1st Sunday. They had just 6 people last week
• Getting quotes for our Building work is a struggle and it takes so long to get anything done
• My walk 17th – 21stOct

From the start of October we hope to do a Community Lunch once a week. There is an issue with local poverty, but it is hidden. I hope people who need this provision will be those who use it.

I am planning my Sponsored walk around the Island 17th – 21st October. I need all the information together to promote it and get sponsors from the UK and here, if not I am need to delay the start. Money will be to repair and prepare the Church building for community project use like the community lunch and empowerment training. The Health centre have used it once for a teenage health program and we hope others will too.

If anyone would like to come out you are welcome and I know I can find something for you to do. The Congregational Federation are planning a Trip in 2023 as well.

It will be great to hear your news, I am still up for Zoom or What App chats. I have enjoyed that over this past month.

pastornigel19@yahoo.co.uk WhatsApp +1 473 458 1932

Also check out my Facebook pictures.

God bless,
Nigel Lindsay