Richard's Reflections (June 2025)

As I said at our recent Church Meeting, I really believe there is much to encourage us as a church. God’s presence is with us as we meet together, and there is a real sense of love and unity amongst us. That is no accident – it is God being very gracious to us as we are church where he has called us to be.

The recent Vision Day was important for us, as we were looking to God to lead us as we go forward. It was a time of great fellowship as we discussed and ate together. This month we focus upon some of the things that came from that day. It is a real joy to see so many of you enthusiastic and engaged as we look forward. There were many great suggestions made; we will not be able to do everything on the list, but there are some things we can do immediately, and others we can consider for the future. And so, here we will be outlining the things happening now and in the next few months.

What we do need to remember is that we can do none of this in our own strength. We need the Lord Jesus Christ to enable us. We can make all of the plans we like, but without his Holy Spirit, none of them will work.

In John 15 v 1 – 8, Jesus likens himself to a vine with his followers as branches. We are told that these branches are to bear fruit. In other words, followers of Jesus are to do what pleases him. And that means us here in Llanwenarth in 2025. And we cannot do it without him. In fact, he says “apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15 v 5 (NIV).

So, as we move forward let’s make sure that we remain in Christ, relying upon him and so bearing fruit. There’s an old chorus that sums it up well:

You are the vine, We are the branches; Keep us abiding in you.

You are the vine, We are the branches;

Keep us abiding in you.

And we’ll go, in your love, And we’ll go, in your name.

That the world, will surely know

That you have power to heal and to save.

© Danny Daniels & Randy Rigby

Love in Jesus, Richard