Words of Encouragement
from Fr. Tom Albinson
A few weeks ago I was working out how much soil and compost I needed for the raised beds. Whilst getting ready to measure I noticed that there were some cucumber plants growing in one of the beds. These plants must have grown from the remains of what were last year’s that did not do well with the heavy rain.

Then I looked over at the compost heap that was half-heartedly started last year and to my amazement there was a courgette [zucchini] plant growing, and not a small one. It is huge as you can see from the picture, again this new growth is from a plant that did not survive last year’s heavy rain.
When I saw this, one of Jesus’ images of the kingdom came to my mind:

Jesus also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32

Regarding this plant, birds haven’t made nests yet, but there is a little rabbit that has made its home there, much to Steve’s [the dog] excitement.

The Kingdom of God is revealed in ways that we cannot even imagine.

Throughout this crisis I have witnessed the Holy Spirit at work revealing the kingdom of God, in this community of faith. God has shown us as The Church of St. Michael & St. George new ways to be Christ-like in the world and will continue to do so.

I give thanks to God for you all as we minister to one-another and the wider community.


God bless

Tom

  • Please register to attend this Sunday's in-person worship services on the home page of our website. Please register by the end of the day today.

  • The Zoom coffee hour will not take place this Sunday.

  • As the coronavirus pandemic began, members of The Church of St. Michael & St. George quickly recognized that the African American community would be among those hardest hit. The church contacted Bridges to Care and Recovery, a program which seeks to combat mental illness by teaching clergy in 65 African American churches in North City and County to recognize mental illness and to connect their parishioners with services. Bridges asked their Wellness Champions to tell us what we might do to help their congregations.

  • The answer was food for those who are having trouble feeding their families and more recently face masks for protection. For the past several weeks parishioners have been donating food and household supplies on Sunday afternoons and driving them to the food pantry of The Last Days Apostolic Church where District Elder May Johnson is pastor.

  • Be sure to download the Sunday Morning Prayer service leaflet posted on the web so that you can participate in the liturgy. We join with one voice in the Worship of the living God.  

  • Be on the look out for a phone call from Church Receptionist Becky Arthur or other staff members, as we update our Realm directory.