The Pointer September 2020
Rector The Rt Rev Darren McCartney 028 4175 3497 suffragan1@gmail.com
The Magazine of the Church of Ireland Parishes of Clonallon & Warrenpoint with Kilbroney in the Diocese of Down and Dromore Nehemiah’s aim was for the people to be free from fear and oppression and be able to worship the Almighty on the temple mount, if the work could be completed. I am very much encouraged by Nehemiah’s example. He is able to identify threats to the work that he is called to. He also has the courage to stand against some very influential people in his day.
Holy Scripture is full of stories that encourage the reader not to lose focus or be discouraged. One such story is that of Nehemiah and the work he was called to do.
Nehemiah 61-3 1When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it — though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates — 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah is able to see behind the invitation to talk, that it was, in fact, a trap for him. Those who issued the invite could see the tremendous work that was being done in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and how it threatened to change people’s lives.
I hope that as you read through this edition of The Pointer you be reminded and encouraged to continue the work God has called you to in building the church in this place. I very much appreciate your partnership in this task and ask that we pray and stand together in the work that God has placed on our hearts. There is much that would seek to take us away from the task, to distract and to cause our arms and knees to fail but we believe that God has called us. He has demonstrated so often in his Holy Word, and in the life of his Bride, the Church, that he can be depended on.
O God, whose will it is that all people should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth: Prosper, we pray, all those who labour in the Gospel at home and in distant lands; protect them in all perils, and support them in loneliness and in the hour of trial; give them your grace to bear faithful witness to you; endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Book Of Common Prayer