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Viewpoint from Alison McTaggart 11/10/2019
 Alison McTaggart
Reader / Lay Minister with PtO, Flegg Group (Martham) (Benefice)
as published in the Great Yarmouth Mercury
Do you ever get that feeling we are hurtling through the year at breakneck speed? What happened to the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer? There is a definite autumnal feel in the air. The cooler nights are here and some of us have even had a fire! Spiders are busy spinning their webs across the harvested crop fields and coming into our homes for the winter. (I wish they would find alternative accommodation). And heaven forbid a shop not too far from here has its Christmas lights and cards in store already
In the church calendar the year is progressing at alarming speed. We have moved from what is known as Ordinary time and have more ‘special’ services Harvest Festival and soon there will be All Souls, and Remembrance Sunday
In both cases it is the same year on year, the seasons may start early, go on for longer. The weather may also vary but we always have four seasons. The church calendar is the same year on year, even if the way the services are delivered may vary
 We like that, it is somewhat comforting. We know where we are it keeps us grounded. All is well until somebody throws a curved ball. This year it is the dreaded ‘B’ word. You know the one it begins with a B and ends with a T (I don’t even want to type it). Suddenly, everything feels unsettled and decidedly uncomfortable
Who can we trust? Well, we can trust Jesus. He told his disciples ”Peace I leave with you; Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. We need to know how to remain grounded in these turbulent times. Will I lose my job, will I have enough employees to keep the farm going, and will there be shortages of food, medicines, oil and fuel for my car? So many anxieties, and not many answers that make us feel reassured
The disciple, Peter, wrote “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”. When you cast something you throw it with some ‘wellie’. We need to go to Jesus with our worries, cast them upon Him and look for the result, just like a fisherman casting his line. We need to look and listen for God’s guidance for each one of us. Then we will be grounded and safe
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