Nigel Fuller writes …
Today is an exciting day for our family. It was about 15 years ago that we started coming to services at Upper Umgeni. We were erratic Church attendees at best, but God has been amazingly patient and gracious, as He has led Sue and I on a roundabout journey. In a very real sense He has brought us back to our roots, so this afternoon’s induction service has huge significance for us.
It is an honour and a privilege to serve Him and His people in any congregation and in any capacity, but Upper Umgeni has always been our ‘home’ Church.
Thank you to each one of you for your prayers and support and all the good wishes. Technically I will only be a colleague minister at UUPC from this afternoon, but you have made us feel at home right from the beginning.
Please could I ask that you continue to pray for Joan and I and the elders as we seek God’s face and His will as we strive to give Him the honour due His name at Upper Umgeni.
Joan Brummer writes …
Today marks another important day in the life of Upper Umgeni. It is with a sense of awe that we realize that God is actively involved in ensuring that the life and ministry of this Church continues. How amazing that He should entrust us (all of us) with such an important task. We are involved in shaping peoples’ eternal destiny! This past week has been a time of deep reflection on my own call, and Calvin Cook (who kindly checked the order of service for me) has shared how he too, in reading through the order of service, was moved in recalling the day of his ordination and induction. The call to ministry is indeed awesome. It is unlike a secular “job” in which one has the option to give up when the going gets tough. Tough times are times in which we see God at work in us. We are constantly being reminded that the ministry is a call from God, and that it is a call that we cannot ignore for the voice of God, though not audible to others, is loud and clear to the one called.
As we begin a new era, so new opportunities arise. The leadership group will be meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the plans for the New Year and we are looking forward to having input from Nigel. One of the things we want to “revamp” is the bulletin. It is time for a fresh look. In the meantime for those who wanted the list of elder’s names and numbers we will include a loose sheet in next week’s bulletin!
Jenny Morrison writes …
Thank you for praying for Camp Jonathan. On Tuesday we interviewed a young man for the position of General Manager – he and his wife have had varied experience at Christian Campsites in the Cape. Their desire is to serve the Lord together and we are confident that, should they come to Camp J, their gifts and skills would compliment those of the other staff. We are now waiting for their response – they need to be sure that Camp J is where God wants them to be. Please pray for them as they make this important decision this coming week.
On Thursday this week the pastoral care team will be hosting a morning tea party at the church for folk that we have visited during the year. Most of these folk are in Frail Care or are homebound and are not able to get to Upper Umgeni for worship services. This then is an ideal opportunity for them to meet our new minister and, to make it special Nigel and Joan have kindly agreed to share Holy Communion with us. In order to get everyone (with walkers, wheelchairs, etc) to the church we need lots of transport – if you’re available to help please contact me asap.
