Dear Friends,

I am writing this on Wednesday the 5th October having severe problems with internet and also the possibility that my phone network has been bugged. I will therefore make this week’s letter very short in case you receive it late. [Network is up now]

Anyway: here in advance is the good news that Bishop Mel Williams and Mrs Ela Williams plan to be on island from Monday the 24th of October until the 2nd November, and Bishop Mel will be ready to clebrate the Holy Eucharist on the 30th Oct. This will be their first visit since the beginning of the Covid-19 era.

The Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity is 

Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The thought of the grace of God always coming before (=‘prevent”ing) us and following us - effectively surrounding us - should give us a sense of peace especially when things are seemingly going wrong. It is accordingly a wonderful prayer, a wonderful tool in our prayer box, so to speak. In this Collect the companion petition is that our occupation in “all good works” may be “continual” - a continual gift of God to us. Even when things seem to be going wrong it is a great boon to our own spirit not to be upset and overcome, but rather to receive by the grace of God this particular set of his gifts of grace that will be of benefit to  others as well as to ourselves.

For directions about the services this Sunday the 9th October 2022, the 17th Sunday after Trinity, please see the website www.TruthWithLanguage.com .

In faith in the holy Name of our Lord Jesus, who will continue to provide guidance and joy by the Holy Spirit to all His people.

+ Nicholas