Dear Friends
Greetings in Jesus’ name from the Philippines!
I have been on my Sabbatical for the past 4 weeks learning and reflecting on the topic 'Migration and Ecumenism'. Having visited S.E. Asia, I have seen that in each country migrant families adapt to the country’s own unique culture and different generations amalgamate in their own way and create new mixed cultures.
Their longings for developing their spiritual life and family fellowship with others are amazing. The families’ Christian faith expression and their church worship services enhance their ethnic friendship and fellowship which inevitably leads them to be witnesses wherever they live and to meet all their challenges in life. Whether their church space is small or big it definitely provides lively support for each other. So, I can say Church needs the hearts of the worshippers to love God together as His body and generous hands and to do some appropriate actions to understand His living presence.
Not only among migrants but also among people who live in a garbage dump area, their worship reveals that the poorest of the poor church communities are also great models for sharing. Christ’s love is prevailing among their communities today. They share the Good News that God is with us as He is Immanuel. Christ is our Hope as a resurrected Lord with wounds and scars, and the Holy Spirit is guiding us to sustain our hope and faith in our lives too. I wish every one of us to prepare our hearts to understand the ever-living presence of God during this month.
I would like to thank those who contributed to the LTCC worshiping life during my absence. All the worship services this month will be led by myself. The Central Worship will be our Remembrance Sunday followed by AGM. Please bring your families and friends to glorify God in the 4th Sunday Service and the AGM.
Please remember all the preparations towards Advent worship services too. Blessed November!
In His service
Revd Jessie Anand, Minister, LTCC
3rd November 2022