Dear Sydney and Inverness-Guysborough Presbyteries,
As I write this letter, my heart is heavy to hear of all of the
destruction that rain and wind has done to our beloved Island and parts of the
Mainland of NS. It has been shocking to
see images of roads washed away and homes and buildings flooded. Through all of this hardship, it is with love
and the Spirit of hope that I and all of our Conference Staff hold you in
prayer.
As this devastation took place on Thanksgiving Day, it is in the Spirit
of gratitude that I see images and hear stories of so many friends and
neighbours, church people and other community members reaching out to help
those who were most affected. It is
reassuring to know that some things never change: your determination and good
will toward helping those in need continue to strengthen communities and will
lead to rebuilding once the waters completely recede. Heartiness and persistence, along with
courage and your feisty spirits will enable you to rise from this disaster, as
you have many times before.
Be assured that the Spirit continues to be in your midst, that as
the Psalmist reminds us, you have been “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm
139), and that as you work together to come to terms with what has happened and
move forward from it, that you do so with the love and support of all of our
church communities within Maritime Conference.
Love and Blessings for the days ahead,
The Rev. Catherine Stuart,
President
Amen!
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