SCAPEGOAT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2023
Dear Friends,
The coach left at 10 am on Monday. It is yet to be disclosed what percentage of Llandudno was still standing after a three day onslaught from West Yorkshire! Seriously though, it was an excellent time away – but we were conscious of those left at home. We missed you and really wished we ALL could have been together. We saw some little lambs, crocuses, daffodils and snowdrops were further on than here. Spring is on the way and for most of us, that thought gladdens our hearts.
But all is not well out there in the world. Seeing the horrific scenes from Turkey and Syria have been so hard to watch. As we see the devastation it is hard to imagine what is now the norm for tens of thousands of people; so many orphans, so many families shattered. Living in tents, if they are fortunate. One thing that does stand out is the response from people across the world. Rescue and medical teams have flown in to help, regardless of the political situations existing between the countries or the dangers they are walking in to. For the millions of people only able to watch from the sidelines, we’ve been able to contribute to the appeals. Even in the midst of The Cost Of Living Crisis we are still able to see the actual generosity of ordinary people moved with compassion for others in a severe crisis.
Our main direction of aid is through Samaritan’s Purse. It was good to hear on the news that their emergency field hospital was up and functioning. As you know, the church has already sent £1000 out to them soon after the earthquake happened. Unfortunately the need is much greater than just rescuing the trapped and treating the injured. Infrastructure, roads, electric, water, health provision are all in chaos. So many thousands of people are homeless. The needs are going to be there for such a long time.
So, let’s do what we can. This newsletter has come out early so we can tell people about the Coffee Morning at Scape, in the Vestry on Saturday 4th March from 10 am until 1 pm. If you feel able to bring anything, that’s great. If baking isn’t your thing, come and enjoy a coffee the offerings of our bakers! If we still have cakes etc left at the end we will no doubt sell them off or offer them after the service on Sunday
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Prov 19:17
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:35-40