Team Work works :)

It has been an incredibly busy week and more to follow as Christmas fast approaches but I am glad that all the fuss and bother from the summer is fast being overtaken by so many positives.
Remembrance day services in the schools this week have gone so well and the 6th form presentation in Bowmore was just amazing - the silence was not broken by a single cough or noise of any kind and I cannot remember such respect being shown by so many, so young.
Jim and Gwen managed the primary schools and it would be false to understate the positive impact that Jim (the Baptist Minister) and his wife Riona have had upon the team work on the island. The Ilsay Fellowship on Wednesdays and the prayer meeting on Fridays are bearing fruit as Christians bring before God the concerns for so many on Islay.
Remembrance tomorrow and the elders in Bowmore will lead as I go off to St Johns in Port Ellen to allow them to have an 11am silence this year. I won't mention names but I will say how great it is to have fellowship with these folk, especially as I see and sense their hope for the future.
After Remembrance we look to all the Christmas events, starting with the annual Christingle Service in the Round Church. This has become an island wide event and it is so good to get that support from the other parishes. Indeed a major part of my experience here is the shared goal of reaching our young people once again.
In each of the primary schools the children now recite the Lords Prayer with confidence in a way they simply did not a year ago! We engage them with new songs and videos in a way that has not happened before, all because of team work - team work with the schools, Jim, Gwen, our parent helpers who shall remain unamed, and our Presbytery Youth advisor Jess Reynolds.
I think we are beginning to connect in ways that will be a real blessing to all in months to come.
We have also been contacted 'out of the blue' by people that feel called to Islay in service and we look forward to an exciting 2012.
We must not forget the Gaelic Services which are becoming more established thanks to Parish support and contributions from the likes of the Gaelic choir and Alistair Scouller of Colonsay.
If I were to be asked for a summary of my theology then I would undoubtedly say that I am Romans Chaper 12 man - team work, shared responsibility, common vision and goals. This for me is God at work amongst his people and I see it beginning to emerge here. Please pray for us all as we see the way forward for Christmas and beyond. Thank you.
Team work works :)