Thinking Space Dear Friends I don’t know about you, but the very cold weather had started to get to me, it seems to have been a particularly long spell when it’s been an effort to leave the warmth of the house and venture outside. Gloves, hats and scarves have been compulsory and my fingers and feet don’t feel to have been warm for months! Worries about the cost of the heating bill will be on many people’s minds at this time. I have to say though that I like the changing seasons we have in the UK, and this morning on an early morning walk the sun was fully out, the sky was a beautiful shade of blue and a mildness in the air told me that Spring is on the way. The sound of our resident blackbird seemed louder than usual, as if proclaiming that change is coming and the cheeky robin which frequents our street hopped in front of me on the quiet path I was taking as if to reiterate the fact! The four changes in seasons are also a reminder of the changes we have throughout our lives. As we delight in our privilege of becoming more advanced in years (well it sounds better than getting older?!), we reflect on our highs and lows, each of us with very different experiences and life skills, but all with a common bond of knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ is in our lives. In the Old Testament, the poetic book of Ecclesiastes (CEV 3:15), we are told ‘Everything that happens has happened before, and all that has already been – God does everything over and over again’. We know that He’s a constant in our life, a deliverer, sustainer, our rock and refuge. As we look to the future of our church life, we rejoice that we have a minister who is interested in our SPACE pastorate, so as we move towards the 15/16 March we pray for the ministerial candidate, for all our congregations and for the Yorkshire Synod. We know there could be changes ahead, but we also know that God’s presence in our hearts will determine any decisions made. My prayer today: Thank You God for the changing seasons and the delights of nature. Help us to embrace changes in our lives and look forward to the future with hope, joy and a willingness to do Your Will. Bless those who deliver Your word to us each week and for the ministry of all Your faithful servants. Help us to speak of You and Your works to those we meet in our daily lives. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master. Amen. Janet Virr Church Secretary Heckmondwike URC