Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests. Luke 2:14.
Dear Friends
As I begin to write this Christmas letter 2021, I am struck with how we have got to the end of another year, in fact where have the last two years gone?
Covid-19 has certainly shaken us all and affected our lives in unusual ways. As a team we have been hit by illnesses and unexpected happenings some of which are of a serious nature that has influenced available resources.
As we approach the end of another year, of what has been an unprecedented and very challenging one for us all, we are thankful to the hand of our faithful God who has upheld us with His peace and provision. The Service has managed to continue to support survivors to work through their traumas which has enabled a deep sense of calm through these troubled times.
As we draw near to Christmas Day, may I invite you to look with fresh eyes, ears and an open heart with wonder as we worship the Christ child. The promised Saviour has now come into the world and is Emmanuel –God with us, laying down His Glory to bring His amazing love to the world and to live among us as our hope, redeemer, and light of the world.
It can feel just now as if our lives have been taken over by coronavirus, the impact of practices in China has found its way to Britain’s shores and our lives are changed.
While we are being asked to distance ourselves from each other socially, it shows how interwoven our lives are.
Acknowledge how you are feeling in this moment. If being calm is hard, acknowledge it. If you find yourself frustrated or stressed, acknowledge it.
God wants to be present in all parts of our lives, not just the easy or serene moments.
During Lent I’ve been making an online retreat with a thought-for-the-day landing each morning in my inbox. Below is one of the sound-bites:
Your prayer makes a difference. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer. The Magdalene Project was founded on prayer and remains dependent on prayer.
Celebrate with us God’s goodness and faithfulness to us in this 20th year from Magdalene’s beginnings to continuing to meet present day needs This summer has been distinctive for The Magdalene Project.
When Jesus walked towards the cross, he walked along the Via Dolorosa in the old city of Jerusalem, a path or route meaning Way of grief or Way of sorrow or Way of suffering.
It was a journey that only Jesus himself could make – a journey he was making for our sake, to release resurrection life to you and me.
But Jesus was open to compassion from whoever offered it, as part of his plan of love from all eternity.