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Viewpoint from Rev Frank Cliff 10/02/2017
 Rev Frank Cliff
Curate, Great Yarmouth Team Ministry
also published in the Yarmouth Mercury
As I write this I am reminded that today, 4th of February, is a celebration of St Scholastica the sister of Benedict whose order of monks founded the priory where our Minster church now stands. History really does move in circles!
Monasteries were found to take Christ and his teachings into the world and that is the modern purpose of a Minster; to engage with the world around us either by providing services such as the Pathway Project or working in schools and hospitals or like myself engaged in full time work as well as ministry
The message of Jesus calls us all to be the best we can be, the best mum or dad, the best teacher, the best friend and the best comforter when things go wrong. We are all called whether we know it or not. It applies to all faiths and creeds Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Atheist we are called to be the best that we can be
 To some of us being called to do or be something may seem a creepy or scary thing. God as a puppet master!! However it’s truly not as bad as it seems. Being called to be the best gives a goal to aim for, a target to reach and it has truly immense possibilities. Being the best you can be means looking out for others, helping when you can and not being downbeat about the abilities of others
In the Bible we are told that the name Barnabas means “Son of encouragement” and looking at our town and world we need a lot of Barnabas’s. We need them to encourage our children, we need them to encourage our politician’s to see beyond the present and imagine a future and most of all we need them for ourselves to support us when life is too complex and difficult
So here’s the challenge can you be a Barnabas can you work with friends, neighbours, local organisations or your local church?
Where can you encourage however small it may be?
As we face Lent and Easter with its story of apparent Defeat and Victory where will you encourage others?
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