As 2022 gives way to a new beginning we pause to recall the gifts and blessings of the old year,

There was the family where I found “the old stone bench”, where you sat with me and loved me.

There was the Community where I found belonging and care, where we shared the joys and the tears.

There was the Land of my birth where I found freedom and dignity.

There was Planet Earth where I found food and water and wonder.

There was the School where I learned and grew and developed.

There was the Park where I walked and talked and tasted the Breath.

There was the Shared meal, the Shared time, the Shared space

There was a good job, a caring boss, a feeling of peace

There was WiFi, where I connected with you

There was heating and warm water where I restored myself

There were frontline workers who gave everything

There was medical care and dental care and nutrition care

There was the sound of music, the rhythm of the dance where I clapped with joy

There were rainbows and moonlight where our hearts beat as one

There was a shared faith, an abiding hope, a great love where life revealed its meaning.

This was 2022….  And much more….

O Praise God

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.

For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light,

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild

For yourself, best gift divine,
To the world so freely given
Agent of God’s grand design
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.

Folliot Pierpoint in 1864

 

Communications