“Dear Friends” seems very topical at this time of year.   Racks of Christmas cards appearing in the shops, queues lengthening in  Post Offices and news being  shared with friends both near and far.  I have to confess that although I was once a prolific letter writer, my efforts are  now reduced to a few sentences on the inside of a card.  The  miracles of the internet and smart phones have changed so much.

I am always impressed  by friends who have been organised enough to compile news and photos and whose printers have been churning out page after page of their annual adventures. It is exciting to have a letter fall through the letter box keeping me up to date with, hopefully, good news.

There will, no doubt, be various angels decorating many of our cards and trees reminding us of that first Christmas when the angel brought the news of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.

“ Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people;  to you is born this day in the city David a Saviour , who is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Luke 2. 10-11   NRSV

It is good to share that Good News.  St Paul  knew how important that was and he was tireless in his efforts to share the good news of the love of Jesus and  in encouraging  young churches in their  growth.

We have lots of good things to share in St Andrew’s.   Although we are in a period of waiting  for news from our Synod Moderator of what future Ministry at St Andrew’s will be, we are  fortunate to have so many loyal friends in our congregation doing so much to help us develop and grow and to maintain St Andrew’s as a focal point in the community.

As we enter the Church Season of Advent, the time of waiting and  preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ, may I wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with the message from the angels

“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace”  Luke 2. 14  NRSV

Anne Byfield (Elder)