Friday 13th July - Commissioning Service

At 6pm on Friday we all met together in the Chapter House, together with family members for a meal together before our commissioning service. Lasagne, salad and tearing sharing caring bread were on the menu followed by strawberries and cream.

It was great to see so many people at the service and we felt blessed and supported as we listened to the words of Jessica, Lesley, Alice and Jane. Each of the speakers had their own message for the team.

Jessica read from Philippians before encouraging the team with the following:

"As someone who has been out to Hands at Work a couple of times over the past few years, I’ve been asked to share a few thoughts with this years’ team. First of all, I was to say Thank You. Thank you for giving up two weeks of your summer to go and serve, alongside Hands at Work, the poorest of the poor and some of the most vulnerable children and adults that we share God’s earth with. Thank you for being brave enough to take a step outside of your comfort zone, because I’m very aware that you will be sitting here this evening filled with anxiety, nerves and apprehension as to what the next two weeks will have in store for you as individuals, and as a team. By taking this step into something that you may not be comfortable with you will be having an impact on not just your own lives, but all those that you will meet on this exciting journey. 

As part of my time out in both South Africa and Zambia, we were asked to make ourselves vulnerable, in able for your hearts to be broken. At first, this seemed like a strange concept to me because I wasn’t really sure that the purpose of that would be. However, once I had got out there, I fully understood it, and would encourage all those going this year to do the same. It is not until you feel the raw emotion and pain that is held by these people, that you can fully understand the transforming love of Jesus Christ our Lord.  

So, prepare yourselves for a rollercoaster of a journey, be open to the things that you will see and feel, and allow yourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit each step of this wonderful journey. I pray that you will all have a wonderful, safe and life changing trip out to South Africa, and I along with everyone back here at home look forward to hearing all the stories you have to tell on your return.

God Bless."

Lesley Bentley then talked about how Hands cares for the most vulnerable, the poorest of the poor, those who have no means of support, no land to farm, very little hope of employment, sometimes as refugees from a neighbouring country, with no papers and little hope of accessing any of the countries care system and then added to this is the effect of HIV/ Aids on a generation. 

Alice Scott then encouraged the team in the form of a letter. 

A Letter to The Cupboard
 

You are about to embark on the most incredible experience. It is daunting and scary, overwhelming and exciting, and everything in between. The journey you have been on, and the adventure that is about to begin, will be filled with all sorts of moments, different moments. You will be tested and guided, challenged and encouraged. 

With your faith, with each other, with your shared experiences, with your values and your sense of servanthood- these will be your foundation.

Your hope will carry you. Your passion will encourage you and drive you on. Your excitement will be infectious. Your weaknesses and frailties make you human. Your honesty will hold you steadfast. Your fears will be overcome. Your faith will protect, guide, encourage, and strengthen you and all those you meet. Your prayers and the prayers of those for whom you intercede will be heard. Your love will give you courage and strength. Your love will be shared and you will be blessed with love.

You are going to fractured and vulnerable communities, but you will find enormous strength, perseverance, sense of community, and inspiring, infectious faith. You are going to serve. To be present. To listen, to care and to love. You will turn up and those who you will meet will be astounded that you have travelled to see them, their children, to meet their families, to listen to their stories, to nurture their gardens, to comfort them, to learn from them.

Serving is a gift. You are there to serve, to walk alongside, to love.

So, when your feet hurt from walking, don’t stop.
When your hands hurt from peeling beetroot, don’t stop.
When you back hurts from leaning over the washing up, don’t stop.
When your blisters hurt from gardening, don’t stop.
When your tummy hurts from the pap, don’t stop.
When your head hurts from the sun, don’t stop.
When you doubt your ability to make a difference, don’t stop.
When your faith is challenged, don’t stop.
When your heart hurts, don’t stop.

This is your chance to walk alongside, to listen, to learn, to grown, and to love. So ‘therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are’ (Thessalonians 11:5).
 

God of love, servant and sustainer of all, we pray for The Cupboard and all those they will meet. May they know your strength and guidance as they weave a tapestry of love in the communities they will visit. May they be present and hushed in their listening, humble and open in their learning, and bold and brave in their loving. Amen.

Finally Jane Newsome spoke to the team and offered words of encouragement and support before the team were then brought to the front of church where Guy anointed each of their hands with oil and John led prayers for the Team.