Benefice Annual Meeting - The Rector's Report (click to listen)
May 2013 Yesterday I spent the afternoon in the garden. For the last few weeks I have been making raised beds, huddled in the garage from the snow and cold. Now with a sunny afternoon came the opportunity to put them in situ, fill them with some soil and plant a few seeds. I’ve never been too keen on gardening – it’s a bit too much like hard work! But there is something satisfying about growing your own vegetables and eating something fresh from the garden.

There is an old saying that you are closest to God’s heart in a garden. I’m not convinced. Other places can be filled with God’s presence too. But gardens do provide a wonderful place for reflection and pondering on life.

As I plant my seeds with the hopeful expectation that they will spring to life in the dark dampness of the soil, I am reminded of St Paul’s comment in his first letter to the Corinthians that “what you sow does not come to life unless it dies”.

We have just celebrated Holy week and Easter; “living through” once again Jesus’ death and resurrection, with its reminder that death is a necessary prerequisite to life. Unless we die to ourselves and live for Christ; unless we die physically to this world and rise to new life, we will never experience the joys of resurrection life with Jesus.

Jesus said, “whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

We spend so much of our time fighting to keep what we have; lifestyle, money for leisure activities, place in society. Jesus’ invitation is too get off the treadmill, leave these things to him, and find a freedom in being his.

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest...”

St. Martin's Church Development