Yes, but...Please pray!

Informing much of my thinking and prayer these days is the immediate future of St. Joseph’s Parish (Mission). There is a Vision Statement (not yet endorsed by the parishioners) which has all sorts of good intentions, but…

It’s always a temptation to think of oneself as indispensable, but as I look at 2007 here it is difficult to see how ministry will continue. Yes, they have got along without a resident priest before, but then there was more committed and available lay leadership than I see now. It is also true that the church was closed for about 30 years, but no one wants to see that happen again.

The Preschool may provide a lifeline, though in Monkey River there is a very active Anglican primary school and the church next door is rarely opened. Some years ago, now retired Bishop Romero used to make regular visits here, but this is where his family lived at the time.

I do believe that the Anglican Church has a place in Punta Gorda. We may never be a leading denomination here numerically, but in terms of options, stability(?), theology and social conscience we should be here in the capital of Belize’s Toledo District.

At the moment there is no one in sight to take over here. Please pray with me that God will give wisdom to those charged with oversight of the Church in Belize, and that he will raise up “Godly leaders” for his Church here in Punta Gorda.