When I was at school, we had assembly every morning; it always included a hymn, a Bible reading and a prayer. On the last day of term, the reading was always Romans 12. I read it again this morning…
The chapter includes a picture… we’re all parts of a body – different from each other, but dependent on each other….
Musing on my weekend… many examples of difference and dependence…
Friday…
…Singing for Health… able-bodied assisting those in wheel-chairs, able-minded helping those with fading minds, those which good voices supporting the vocally challenged, instruments brought and shared for melody, harmony and rhythm…
…Under Milk Wood… a dramatic presentation by a local amateur group… different actors portraying different characters; director, producer, sound and lighting technicians working off-stage; box office staff, bar staff, cleaner…
Saturday…
…Men’s shed… Older men with very different life experiences… Electricians re-wiring the shed, lathe experts sharing their skills teaching others; political experts sharing their views, cynics sharing their humour; gents cooking the bacon, making the tea…
…Gardening… Autumn tidying up… Roses and dahlias, carrots and potatoes, trees and grass, squirrels and blackbirds, ponds and paths, frogs and fish, insects and worms, dead leaves and weeds…
Sunday…
…Church… The illustration’s original focus… preacher, worship-leader, musicians; welcome team, refreshment team, stewarding team; needy, enthusiastic, self-centred, sensitive; different backgrounds, ages, bank-balances, expectations, spiritual awareness…
…Sunday lunch… Traditional roast dinner… beans and carrots, potatoes and parsnips, chicken and gravy… fruit crumble and custard… wine, coffee… cook, grateful eaters, washers up, putters away…
…Infinity… Silhouette Stage School show (including grandson-Luca and several friends’ children)… small children being the ugly duckling or Nelly the elephant; flexible gymnasts and acrobats; dancers, actors and singers; proud children on-stage, prouder parents and friends in an appreciative audience…
Musing, I read Romans 12 again… the body, many parts, difference and dependence… leads to deference and diligence… I must defer to others who have different gifts, are better than me… I must be diligent in using my gifts, playing my part.
malcolmsmusings.org 
What a great read, Malcolm, thank you!
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I guess, Lynn, it comes alongside our search for purpose and direction in our church currently. What church might look like in one year, five years…
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This is beautiful, Malcolm . . . and I so need some beauty these days. I’m going to do some of this today with our grandchildren and also show it to our new incoming pastor who arrives here this week and preaches his first sermon as our new pastor this coming Sunday and ask him and our elders if we can try and bring some of this simple beauty to our little church.
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If what I have been ‘given’ this morning is of any help to anybody, then I’m pleased – and humbled. Part of my thinking is linked to our own church where our new pastor has been in post for just two months…
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I’m for sure “stealing” the “Music for Wellbeing” idea and also the “Men’s Shed!”
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Man’s Shed is an international organisation started in Australia. The music for wellbeing notion has been around for a while here. Neither are specifically Christian but the ones I’m part of are run by good people and are of huge benefit to the local community. They can certainly be adapted to local needs, and could be given a Christian flavour in a church setting… Good luck!
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Thank you, Malcolm. I will show both of these to our new pastor and our church.
I am so grateful to God for our friendship and Brotherhood!
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