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Our May Pastoral Letter

is provided by Emily Gadd
one of our newest Elders

It’s been a long hard winter but it’s starting to really peek into spring
now! There’s a little sunshine about and we pray for more.

I write this after the week of Eastertide reflection, the joy of the
resurrection and the renewal of our commitment to Jesus that
comes with this. Spring and the flowers that bloom are a wonder of
God’s creation, we cannot help notice that Christians and non-
Christians alike admire this outward sign of beauty. The blooming
of bluebells and daffodils, wild garlic and the lush green colours
coming back give us hope. How wonderful for us that Easter is in
spring, feelings of re-newment and new life, they link directly to
Jesus, the light of our world and our Saviour.

It is also a great reminder that it has been a year since I came into
Eldership with the others. What a rollercoaster year this has been
and a steep learning curve.

When I was asked to write this article I wondered what I could write
about that might interest you. I have chosen to write about my
journey to becoming an Elder and my recent sacrament training.
This is in part for you to understand but also in part for my own
reflection of my journey.

My journey starts a long time ago actually. For years I’ve been
asked, after coming into membership, if I would consider it my
calling to become an Elder. I have always said no but deep in my
heart I knew it would happen at some time, it just had to be the
right time for me. My family was young, my time was taken up with
Guiding, my work was chaotic and I was establishing myself in my
NHS career, covid happened. I did, a long time ago now, do a
theological course sponsored by the church and this helped me run
our junior church and to want to take part in our services. I found
this a privilege. It sowed many seeds and helped me to have a
deeper understanding of the Bible and of my relationship with God.

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