Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We continue to be most grateful for the mild weather we are experiencing - the most perfect weather surely in all the world, though occurring in a specific time-span here in Cayman. We clearly should not allow it to make us unmindful of weather perils either here (especially in the hurricane season) or elsewhere in the world. We think of the winter storms that occurred in the United Kingdom a short time back, and in particular perhaps, we think of the extraordinary winter weather conditions that have disrupted the electrical power supply so badly in Texas, and whose effects have still lingered in some parts.

The Texas event should give us considerable food for thought. Here is a State that includes almost the most southern piece of land in the whole contiguous United States (yes, a point near Brownsville is just a fraction of a latitude degree less further south than any part of mainland Florida) and yet the recent winter weather impelled people there to turn up their heating so much that with the simultaneous general failure of wind power generation through the icing up of the units and, to a lesser extent, solar power generation through lessening of sunshine, the modernised electrical power system was not able to keep up with the surge in demand, and severe rolling blackouts had to be instituted in order to prevent the whole system collapsing. The fairly obvious lesson is that there are perils in relying too much on what is thought to be the “clean” generation of power through solar and wind generation without the ability to do without them when forced to. 

Let our own power companies take careful note of the Texas saga and be prepared to follow the clear lessons it provides, rather than being influenced by the fashion and influence of those prepared to promote popular narratives insufficiently grounded in the truth.

And by the way, what evidence really exists for petroleum products actually being “fossil fuels” - or even “non-renewables” - as so lightly trips off the media tongues? Hmm.

I am very sure that one day our ignorance in such matters will be demonstrated, and then the world may find both doubt and some wisdom about secular social certainties as well. May that day come soon!

The Collect for next week from the Second Sunday in Lent will be

Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

and of course following this will be the Ash Wednesday Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lent 2 Collect in its assertion of our having “no power of ourselves to help ourselves” is once again, while expressive of the human plight in general, very relevant to our particular thoughts, in this case the recent (and some places continuing) plight of those who lack the provision of power and heat to which they are accustomed. But it is to the human plight in general that it directly refers. How wrong must be any jurisprudence that considers any documentary reference to God to be misplaced? Rather, let us pray to Him for His mighty protection and direction of our bodies, minds and spirits, because apart from that we cannot “help ourselves” to get anything right.

For directions about the services this Sunday the 28th Feb, please see the website www.truthwithlanguage.com.

May the Lord continue to guide us in our Lenten Observance in the continuing weeks ahead, and defend us and all His people from all that comes against us both in body and soul.

In the Name of the Lord Jesus,

Bishop Nicholas