Dear Friends,

Trusting things will be well with Bishop Melvin and Pamela’s journey to Cayman this week. They are scheduled to be here from Friday this week until the following Tuesday. 

We’ve seen things going on that have been destructive of airline schedules recently. The media have said that the most recent airline problem in the USA was some computer “glitch” that caused the loss of data about where aircraft were supposed to be, and when, as they flew. Obviously that knowledge will be more than generally helpful to every aircraft pilot especially as he approaches a landing. So the lack of that knowledge necessitated the grounding of all the commercial passenger aircraft for a certain period of time. 

Hmm. I wonder what computer “glitch” might happen in a population id system that depended wholly upon digital data and abandoned the older sort. After all, the air traffic management system wasn’t supposed to do that either. 

We put our trust in the Lord. There are no glitches in Him. (The significance of this has an important effect on our whole life's outlook, by the way.) May He guide and secure +Mel and Ela’s flights to the benefit of His people, in the ways of His choice. We look forward to Bishop Mel conducting the Eucharist this coming Sunday the 15th January.

The Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany is

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As has been said, there are no glitches in the Lord. The Collect affirms too that God governs “all things in heaven and earth” - even, and perhaps in a mystery, the things that immediately appear to be glitches to us. He will turn what manifests itself to us as an immediate evil into an enduring good. Faith in this and an understanding of its truth will be part of the “peace all the days of our life”, for which we pray here; “through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Indeed it is an aspect of His epiphany to us that is promised.

For directions about the services this Sunday the 15th January 2023, the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, please see the website www.TruthWithLanguage.com . It is my intention to continue the zoom Evening Prayer Sunday services again at 6 pm our time.

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

+ Nicholas