A New Year’s Wish

“For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint.” Habakkuk 2:3

As we enter the year 2012, I am reminded of the prophet Habakkuk, who continually questioned God, demanding answers for why Judah was still filled with social abuse and corruption. God met Habakkuk’s complaints with an answer we need to hear in today’s world. God encouraged the prophet not to lose heart and told him that even if what he hoped for was delayed, he should “wait for it, for it will surely come.”

As Bethany Pontypool Pastoral Charge, we have had some difficult times during the past twelve months, when it would have been easy to loose heart. Financially, we have struggled, and wondered at times how we were going to continue serving God as a Pastoral Charge. Yet, we pulled together through this difficult time, offering practical support and care to one another. This has enabled us to continue serving our communities with commitment and compassion.

We also experienced great sadness when, Jill Brett, our Bethany organist for seventeen years, and Bill Jeffery, our Bethany Choir Director for twenty years, retired, in June. Bill and Jill provided faithful and committed service to us, and we wish them many good wishes and blessings during this much deserved time of rest.

In September, we welcomed Shirley Robertson, to our music team, joining Christoffer Shaw and Jodi Moon. Together, our music team brings enormous passion and enthusiasm to their ministry of music. We feel so incredibly blessed, as a Pastoral Charge, with Shirley Robertson, Christoffer Shaw, and Jodi Moon offering their musical leadership to us as we enter 2012.

As a Pastoral Charge, we certainly know the challenge of God’s message to Habakkuk. Not only does the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Diner’s Club Ministry, our Daily Bread Food Bank Ministry, the Reiki Ministry, the Meditation Group, the Kid’s Club, the Sunday School, and the weekly Bible Study require our willingness and commitment to share our gifts, but, committed leaders are called forward each year to represent us as Bethany and Pontypool Stewards, Session, Trustees, Ministry & Personal Committee, and Presbytery Reps. Together these committees form The Official Board, which is very aptly led by our Chairperson, Kevin Rogers.

When I think of the many hands needed to keep our doors open and to serve our communities of Pontypool and Bethany, I sometimes wonder, “Are we going to have enough help?” Whenever I ask myself this question, I remember God’s word to Habakkuk, and it helps me to reply with confidence, “Yes, I believe so. I do not know who will step forward, or how many, but I do know God has given us one another to share our gifts with. God has given us a vision to guide us. As we remain open to offering our gifts of leadership, compassionate care, musical talents, Sunday School leadership and Bible Study education we will continue to grow spiritually in our communities of faith as we serve our greater communities.

When we keep our vision, we also keep our hope. This enables us to offer our valuable gifts and talents to make the necessary changes for a peace filled and compassionate community in which to live and serve. As a Church we need to maintain and nurture our vision of what is to come, knowing that the vision has its appointed time and will not disappoint.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Laura Borgerson