But the Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Dear Friends,

The world in general does not view weakness as a benefit, but in Christ’s kingdom it is. As long as we rely on our own strategies, our own abilities and our own resources we miss out on the wonderful things God is doing and can do in, through and around us. We are a people of faith, and as such are utterly reliant on the power of Christ. Indeed, our deliverance comes through Christ’s death, the weakness of God. Should we be surprised that he pursues his purposes through our weakness?

I say all this because 2023 strikes me as having been a year of seeming frailty. The biggest story for us was the closing of the Ingoldsby church. We were shocked and saddened but perhaps not too surprised. This small community of faith has been a lively witness to Jesus and the gospel for over 95 years. Well done, good and faithful servants! This of course presents new challenges for Lochlin and Haliburton, but in God’s strength we carry on.  It was heartening to have about 60 people from all 3 churches attend the final service on December 31^st at Ingoldsby.

On a personal note I found 2023 to be a year of strange struggles in terms of physical health. In January I cracked a rib playing hockey and was unable to play for six weeks. The day I went back seems to be the day I contracted COVID in the dressing room. It didn’t really manifest itself until I had spread it to about a dozen people on the following Sunday. It was the first Sunday since the pandemic that we had stayed at Lochlin after church for coffee and fellowship!  Again – sorry! In June I was mysteriously afflicted by pain in my neck and left side. This cleared up after some weeks but left me with partial weakness and numbness in my left hand. I couldn’t play the guitar for several months. Through it all you were very compassionate, prayerful, patient and supportive. Thank-you.

I am grateful to God for so many things. I am growing in faith through these trials and so are you. We are nearer to our Lord.  Our Regional Council has been very supportive in working through the amalgamation of Ingoldsby and Haliburton.  My thanks to Gwen Atkinson for helping steer us through the process. A big thanks as well to Lynne Bertrand, our patient administrator, who keeps us all on the straight and narrow. Thanks to one and all for your love, support, hard work and prayers. May God guide and bless our worship and service in 2024.

In Christ’s love,

Harry