Page 63 - may2024

May 2024 May 2024

BISHOP’S LETTER When I left, my employers sold the
farm to the Irish Environmental
Department, who wanted to turn it
May is exam month for my youngest daughter, who is into a wildfowl reserve as it did
undergoing her ‘A’ Levels this summer – the last of our provide overwintering for some 2000
three to pass through that ordeal. I still recall (as I’m geese and 200 to 300 swans. This
sure many of you do too) the sense of elation – almost was a great thing for the
disbelief – when these were over and a new chapter environment but not very good for
of life could begin. Somewhere in my loft, I still have the local village and surrounding
the ring file I flung into the air when it was all over! area. The loss of employment and
This transition to a new stage of life feels appropriate the loss of local produce were
as Easter turns to Pentecost and the church waits on greatly felt in the parish.
God to provide all that she needs to serve him in the So the idea of returning that area to
world. Given the seemingly constant need to find a “natural environment” was a
people to help in church life, it is always encouraging disaster locally. Now I have heard
to remember how the Lord can take the scraps we on the six o’clock news that in
offer and make them sufficient. When offput from Wales, governmental intentions to
commencing an apparently huge task, I sometimes return much of their farmland to the
say to myself: ‘just do a little’ and, having offered my wild is not well received. It will
mite to God, leave the multiplication to him. create unemployment and financial

In annual meeting season, it may be that you are difficulties for both farmers and the
reviewing your responsibilities and wondering about stopping some and starting local fraternity.
others. If so, can I encourage you to consider standing for election to deanery or I am sure there is an answer but I
diocesan synod? Synods are our way of sharing the governance of the church don’t think it is going to be easily
and making sure it attends to the things we truly care about. We’d love your found.
involvement and trust that God will work through us ‘to accomplish infinitely more
than we might ask or think’ (Ephesian 3:20). Currently as an avid conservationist I
want to see a return to a much
more natural world but mankind is
Diocese of Salisbury are running a new campaign to encourage becoming a bigger and bigger
more people to think of standing for synod #ChurchChangemakers. problem for such happenings. Feeding of a rapidly increasing population and the
Diocesan Synod is made up of ordinary people who are committed desire for more environmentally friendly world generally is a huge problem. We
to sharing the news of Christ's transforming love with must all take time to pray for a positive answer.
To stand for synod this May, you need to be aged over  At this point I must say goodbye and God bless You all Ted Cox
our communities.

16 and on a church electoral roll. In return, you'll be able to hone
your skills in debating, decision making, and shaping a Church
which serves a million people in this area alone. See here for more
information: https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/whoweare/
governance/church-changemakers-diocesan-synod-elections-
2024/

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