Northfield Methodist Church

Dear Friends
A number of years ago, I remember a father speaking about his journey through bereavement upon the accidental death of his teenage son. He shared one of the significant moments in that journey being when he wrestled with the question, "Whose child was my son?" One answer to that question was, "My son was also God's son. In fact before he was my son he was God's son who was only given to me on loan to be loved and cared for before being reunited with his Heavenly Father again."
In a very real way as we baptise nine children today, at two of our services, we declare that these children together with all other children are given to us on loan to be loved and cared for until they each will be reunited with their Heavenly Father.
What a life giving perspective! Imagine engaging with our own children on a daily basis out of the conviction that they have been given into our love and care on loan from their Heavenly Father! Imaginge engaging with the children of the world in a way that acknowledges their sacredness and value. Imagine those who capture media headlines, only speaking of others in the light that those they speak of are in this world only on loan to be loved and cared for before been reunited with their Heavenly Father. Imagine reading a newspaper born out of such a world!
Why is such a world so far removed from the one we live in? What in the world causes us to fail to see this truth? How do we choose to see this truth rather than be blind to it....how do we enter into the life giving practice of loving and caring for those given to us on loan by their Heavenly Father? These are questions for the church to answer. May you and I renew the sacredness and value of all God's children on loan to be loved and cared for. May we continue to wait upon the Lord to be renewed.....
The Ministry Team