LIGHT TO LIGHT UP THE WORLD

I know that for many people, these winter days seem cold and long and dark and some people become moody or depressed as a result. We long for spring and summer and SUNSHINE to return. For some folk, the winter has a real physical effect upon their lives in that they suffer from sunlight deprivation which can result in depression and anxiety, for which treatment is available.

In short, our bodies need light: it is accepted that the amount of sunlight we take in directly affects brain chemistry and, therefore, life. Two related thoughts strike me as I reflect upon the body's need to live in the light.

As I write early in January there are still a few Christmas ‘remnants’ in shops and, indeed around the house. At Christmas time we celebrated Jesus coming into the world to be the light of the world, and it strikes me that maybe we could do with some of that light now. But if we think more deeply about this, we also remember Jesus himself telling us to be light, and salt, in the world. If Jesus' life was about love then we can equate love with his light; and so we can be light in the world, but more importantly in the community of Wellesbourne, if we just show one another love. If only we could all start showing a loving attitude towards one another, imagine what a different place Wellesbourne could become. It would light the place up!

Rev Andy Laird, Methodist Minister

SEEN IN THE SNOW

PS. I am aware of speculation and uncertainty in some quarters about my leaving Wellesbourne this year. Please can I take this opportunity to clarify: on 31 August there is to be a local reorganisation and Wellesbourne Methodist Church will be joined with the Kineton group of Methodist Churches rather than the Leamington group and so the Wellesbourne Methodist Minister from 1^st September will be Kineton's Methodist Minister, Rev John Taylor. I will continue to serve in the Leamington group of Methodist Churches but will still pop up on occasions in Wellesbourne.