Sharon Heron: Strand Presbyterian Church
2008 has been a painful year for Strand and for me, with Rev David Thompson being called to work for BMI, leaving Strand in a vacancy situation. It was a year of waiting on God to lead us to the right person for our congregation, and of persevering through difficult challenges. Although this change has been difficult, we firmly believe that God’s vision for us is to be a community based church, reaching out to those all around us, and we forge ahead with plans to build a new multi-purpose centre (Red Sky Project).
During the vacancy my role changed slightly as I took on more of the pastoral care within the congregation and community. It was important to show that the church cares for people who are in trouble and who are sick - from the Polish families struggling with the credit crunch, to the elderly church member facing sessions of chemotherapy.
We applied for funding to begin a ‘Family Initiative’ programme, using this opportunity to allow families in the community to spend quality time together. We started the initiative in January and were encouraged by the response. We continue to build on this programme in order to make contact with families outside the church.
I continue to work at building up our ‘HOPE’ club, which is both fun and educational, and is geared for the 50+ age range. Our Mums & Tots and Play Group are growing from strength to strength and have become a valuable way of providing for the community and establishing good relationships. My Home Start Family and I are getting along well and I am privileged to be able to help in any way that I can.
As I look back over the year there have been hurdles and personal struggles, but in the midst of everything God has proved His strength to me again and again and again. I am thankful to dear friends who have been a tower of strength, but my thanks goes to an amazing God Whose love and faithfulness never fails.
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