A
Message from
our Chairman
Dear
Friends,
During
the school half term break, Chris (my wife) and I spent a few days visiting
Paris. It was my first visit, and
although I prefer the countryside, I would have to say that we had a wonderful
time. I was very impressed.
It was, however, really cold with a wind chill factor to make it seem
worse. A week or so later it
snowed, just before the Wales / France match.
Then we seemed to get into a system of cold weather here at home.
And now as I write this message it is shortly before Easter and the
reminder that spring is on its way. It
seems that the coldest weather of winter has been just at the time of change
with the daffodils, crocus and snowdrops all appearing.
It is also said that the darkest hours are just before the dawn.
Reflecting
on the Gospel accounts of the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus that pattern
is one that emerges too. At the
time we now celebrate as Palm Sunday, the disciples must have been riding high,
as it were, with Jesus apparently so popular and seemingly unstoppable.
And then, Maundy Thursday, and the dark night at Gethsemane where Our
Lord struggled with anguish. Then
even darker still the trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus.
How much more dark and hopeless could things become?
Only perhaps, the darkness of the heart that Peter would have experienced
as he wrestled with the guilt and shame of denying and deserting his Lord.
But, like the winters harshest weather just before the spring, so the
deepest darkness of despair is just before the dawn of the Resurrection morning.
These
reflections find resonance also in my thought at this time in relation to ARM
(Wales) and the debate surrounding the Flames of Fire conference.
A proposal born out of the best of intentions and motive seems now to be
one, which has caused division and distrust.
To make matters worse, the intention of trying to enable ARM (Wales) the
space to focus on Renewal within the Church in Wales also seems doomed to
failure as the focus on the conference now seems to be more intense than ever
before. So may I commend this
matter to your prayers, that His Light might expose the way ahead and rekindle
hope and passion for following in His way, wherever that might lead, for the
sake of His Kingdom.
As
for the Conference preparations, these are progressing, if slowly.
There have been unwanted delays in preparing and printing the application
forms, but these have now been sent out.
The main speakers at the conference include some familiar friends such as
Christina Baxter, Stuart Bell, Bruce Collins, and (from last years conference)
Kenny Borthwick (who leads CLAN Gathering, Scotland). The theme for the conference is based on John 4 v 35, “Open
your eyes and look at the fields.” We
continue to look for some one to replace Roger Waggett as Site Manager, a role
he has played so ably since the start of the conference.
We shall also be missing the organisational skills of Wing who will be
taking up a post in Worthing, England. So
please pray for these jobs to be filled also.
With my prayers, Nicholas