​The Vicar's "Two Penn'orth"

February 2020:
​Making a Difference

Rev Paul, Vicar of Hoylake, writes ...

It seems a long time since my last Vicar’s Two Penn’orth - I think such a busy Christmas got in the way, then a family funeral and the wedding of my wife Gillian’s sister Jane. However, I am pleased to report that our annual Christmas Tree Festival was the best ever, with so many people congratulating the team who planned it, on all that was achieved; so thank you all. Scripture informs us in John 15:7 "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

It is sad to reflect that since Christmas we have seen several natural disasters in the world: the fires in Australia, the earthquake in Turkey and this terrible new virus in China. I know that you will be praying for all those affected - it is the one thing we really can do, and I am sure that God hears our cry. The Bible’s book of Acts informs us in 4:24 “And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them."

I wanted to share what has been on my heart just recently considering what has been happening in the world. That is simply how fortunate we are to live in a place where it is rare to be hit by terrible disasters, and that we should be grateful we are safe and secure here in Hoylake. However, we should reflect that close to us even, many are hungry, many are homeless, many feel abandoned by God.

What can we do?  It feels such a hopeless task to put everything right. However, I believe that the answer begins in each one of us first with the desire  to make things right. Then it is taking one small step at a time, and doing what we can - because we can all  do something.

Maybe you give to the food bank that we collect for at St Hildeburgh’s? Maybe you provide clothes for the Charles Thompson mission in Birkenhead? Maybe you volunteer in a local charity shop? Maybe you donate to the many charities that seek help? Maybe you pray faithfully for the less fortunate each day? Every single act of kindness makes a difference; every prayer is heard; and every donation to the food bank feeds someone. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

I know we cannot as individuals change the world, or end the suffering of the poor, but together  our actions really can make a significant difference. The point is every small act of giving, kindness or love that we do, begins something that makes lives so much the richer.

I would like to finish this short Two Penn’orth with the words from Matthew’s Gospel, chapter six: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Your friend,

Rev Paul,
Vicar of Hoylake