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the church when it embodies this welcome. I especially want to reassure
all Ministers, Elders, and members who have come to the UK from

around the world that you are not only welcome among us, but that we
treasure the insights and experiences you bring to enrich us.

In all these things we hold fast to the unshakable promise: “Nothing in all
crea on will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus
our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

With my thanks for all that you do for God’s work through the United
Reformed Church, and with prayers for every local church and minister,

Michael Hopkins
Wessex Synod Moderator

God's Gift

Dear Friends,

I'm no gardener but there are things that Nature does all by herself.
Our apple tree is producing a bumper crop of large apples this
year; usually they are small and not worth cooking. I have them
stored in a cool place and hope they will last us a few months. We
bring Nature into our homes with apples, blackberries, flowers and
so on. We enjoy walking in parks or in the countryside and
appreciating the beauty of creation. Nature is essential for our
mental and physical health. We often feel closer to God in Nature.
We are part of Nature.

Nature is God's great gift to humankind. Without Nature we cannot
survive and we are charged with being caretakers of the natural
world. Sadly we are all guilty of misusing Nature, by food wastage,
polluting the oceans with plastic and using energy and transport
which are detrimental to the earth. We know that the precious gift
of creation is at threat, so let us all try to do as much as we can to
reduce our impact on this wonderful gift from God.

Every blessing Janet

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