Leprosy Mission are an international Christian development organisation that diagnoses, treats and offers specialist care, including reconstructive surgery, to leprosy patients. Their aim is to transform and empower the lives of people affected by leprosy.

Leprosy is a disease of poverty and as well as providing healthcare, we offer rehabilitation, education, vocational training, small business loans, housing and fresh water supplies and sanitation to tens of thousands of people each year. They provide a springboard to restored health, self-sufficiency and renewed hope. Their services are provided regardless of religion or ethnicity, promoting equality and social justice.

On Sunday 25th June our morning service will be led by Mr Nick Calland, the regional Manager for Leprosy Mission.

Dear Friends

When I sat down to write this two topics came to mind. The first was the theme of Pentecost as this year it falls in June. the second possibility was a piece on the forthcoming General Election. On further reflection I realised there was a timing problem with both these themes. the article on Pentecost would have been almost out of date by the time you read this and the same can be said about the general election.

I then began to think about the consequences of the election results. If the responses to last year’s referendum are anything to go by then there may be two sorts of people living in this country following the election, those who are delighted by the result and those who are horrified by it! We as a nation will then have to work out how to live with the consequences of the voting.

John Wesley once wrote in his diary, “I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advise them:-  1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy, 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those who voted on the other side.” The first comment is not very relevant in this day and age and the second is an interesting reminder. It is the third comment that is most challenging in that it is very easy to complain bitterly about those who see life differently to us, especially if we think that those on the other side are wrong.

This takes me back to Pentecost and the Holy Spirit who Jesus describes as being our helper. In chapter 14 of John’s gospel Jesus says, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God.” The Holy Spirit comes to help us in our day to day lives. So as we come to terms with the election results or for that matter as we deal with any of the major challenges that we face in life we need to remember that we are not on our own. We have a helper given to us by God to guide us through life’s challenges. All we have to do is ask for help.

God bless

Chris Pritchard