FROM THE METHODIST MINISTER

Dear Friends,

Just a short note this time, to leave plenty of space for all the other items that are waiting to find room in the magazine.

We had a splendid beginning to the New Year with our Annual Covenant service, and it was delightful to share the service with the Vicar and members of his congregation. We have grown together in understanding and tolerance in Hartlip, and we look forward to an increasingly united witness to the things of Christ in our community.

I believe that we have a great deal to offer to each other in our various Christian traditions, and it is at the "grass roots" level of the local church that we most need to explore our riches together.

Yours sincerely,

DENIS E. GARDINER.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

"He must increase, but I must decrease"

John 3:30.

These words of St. John, the Baptist are words which, in the completest possible way, express the spirit in which the life of this great servant of God was lived and his service to God rendered. He was imprisoned and later beheaded for his single-minded devotion to Christ, preaching Him to all men without fear of the consequences to himself. So difficult is it to be altogether single-minded, so insidious a thing is self-interest, that we, have needed to ask ourselves whether it may not have crept even into our religion. For, paradoxical as it may seem to be, even our religion may be selfish religion, concerned primarily with our own salvation and comfort of soul. What is the real spirit in which we practise it? Are we quite certain that we seek no advantage for ourselves, desire no reward, expect no recognition? Are we, like St. John, willing to decrease that He may increase? Only by so doing can our Lord's name be honoured and his divine purposes on earth fulfilled.

Prayer: Help us Lord, at all times, to be faithful and true to Thee. Amen.

B.A.