Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colour: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could – far more than they could afford! – pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians. 2 Corinthians 8: 2-4 The Message
Paul was speaking of the experience of the Macedonian churches, and their generosity in giving to alleviate the suffering of fellow Christians, when he wrote these words. It was a church which was not rolling in money, not without it problems, not having to wonder what they would do with their surplus cash at the end of the financial year. Yet they looked beyond their own experience of trial and poverty and saw the need of other brothers and sisters in Christ in another church in another country and dug deep. Digging deep is not easy when there is not much left in the larder, it is perfectly understandable that people might focus on self first and others later. So what is it that motivates and encourages people to give, not until it hurts, but to give when it hurts. Well Paul explains to the church at Corinth that the answer is the grace of God. God had given the Macedonian church a portion of grace. God’s gift of grace through his son Jesus, comes at no cost to us but at great cost to him. That is what grace is in a nutshell, a costly gift which we do not deserve. God lavishes his grace on all who will receive it, not just the Macedonian church. It is the knowledge of that grace that then enables the recipients to give sacrificially like the Macedonian church, giving when it hurts rather than till it hurts.
This Lent we will be supporting a project in the Chaco region of Paraguay. SAMS mission partner Beryl Baker has ministered to the people of this region using her nursing skills, for some 30 years. Currently, the average life expectancy in this region is 40 years old – through her work, she seeks to improve that desperate situation. You will find a leaflet in this newsletter explaining something more of this work.

In writing these words I am acutely aware that for some readers, their experience of the current recession is one of extreme discomfort and pain. Grace is a costly gift for the undeserving – please remember God’s lavish gift of grace as you contemplate your giving in support of our Lenten project.
If you would like to engage with our Lenten project you will find in this newsletter a self-adhesive label with the words “JAR OF GRACE” written on it. Beginning on the 25th of February, Ash Wednesday, I would ask you to stick this on a jam jar and place it in the centre of the table where you have most meals. Each time you sit to have a meal, I would invite you, along with every other participating home in our Parish Grouping, to place a coin in the jar and say a simple prayer for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Please do try and remember this each meal time, as a note shoved in to make amends for forgotten coins and prayers is not quite the same as regular giving and prayer. At our Easter services, we will collect in all of your offerings and give thanks for this gracious act of giving.
Each coin, no matter how small, can make a difference. Each prayer, no matter how small, can make a difference. Let us give together and pray together and together we can make a real difference.
(The Jar of Grace appeal, together with the loose offering at each of the mid-week Lenten services, in our Group of Parishes, will be going to the work of the “Chaco Project” a project sponsored by the South American Missionary Society).