Reflections From Our Minister I have met so many Saints of God Shalom: dwelling and being enfolded in the loving peace and harmony of God. Dear Friends, as I look back over this past year, I feel I am writing an item which should be entitled “The Lost Year” . For the past 14 months we have all been captured in an odyssey, which none -of us had expected or planned for and enough has been said already about the unexpected discovery of good neighbours and community spirit, and also the mental and spiritual anguish of isolation. Those of us who live alone have become like hermits and those in Care Homes had fewer visitation privileges than prisoners. And yet we have shared and joined in unexpected ways and learned new skills. For some craft work, walking, exercise and for others Skyping, Facetiming, Whatsapp-ing and Zooming. That technology has been a sharp learning curve for all of us and on the whole I have found it a positive thing, permitting prayers and worship not just in one town, but across miles and oceans to our mutual enrichment. When I was ordained little did I know what lay ahead and that’s surely a good thing. Over these years the highlights that come to mind include: closing a church and selling off the building, tearing down school rooms, negotiating a sheltered housing project and having a sloping roof put on to replace a flat one. Kitchens and toilets have been modernised, exchange trips with African women ministers arranged. I’ve taken sabbaticals in India and Orkney, introduced new hymns and new hymnbooks, run a subversive women’s film group, been involved with Interfaith action groups, and with Churches Together everywhere; preaching in many different places indoors and out ; sat on Pastoral Committees, chaired District Council and latterly led worship by Zoom!