Community Sunday
“Love makes us all do wonderful things” said Rev. Mike Clarkson, at the start of his homily on Sunday 24th September, Christ The King Community Sunday. “It creates a circle of honour and care that spreads like wildfire through a community.”
Taking his inspiration from 1 John 4:7, Rev. Mike read, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
He then welcomed all visitors on behalf of the Congregation of Christ the King and handed over to Jane Caulfield-Kerney, Warden, who said:
“Community Sunday is an annual event for Christ the King that makes us all pause to think about what it means to be a loving community, not just to the people who live next door or even in the same town or village, but to people who bind a community together by their caring actions. On this day, we are pausing to honour and celebrate some of these groups, for example, the Bombeiros, ASCA, Junta de Freguesia de Almancil, Refoods and the Ukraine support groups like the Mother and Baby unit, who are here today for our service. All of whom show love and care in abundance for our community. In addition, we have invited some special members of the Almancil and Tavira communities to receive a small love gift from the Congregation.”
Presentations were made with the help of José Farinha, the Chair of Christ The King, who was called on to help translate into Portuguese for the guests.
Used spectacles were handed over to Jane for the Spec Saver campaign – just a small part of the 1,400 used spectacles that have been collected to date for repurposing in parts of the world in need — a “gift of sight,” helped by both ASCA and the Junta acting as collection points.
A cheque together with grateful thanks for all they do was handed to Sue Minnis on behalf of REFOODS.
A very special member of the congregation was presented with a small mountain of bottle tops, caps, and corks for use towards furthering much needed medical treatment for her son. All of the caps and corks had been collected by the congregation and their friends and family, over the last few months. Things which are usually thrown away have become overwhelmingly valuable for this family.
Two young aspiring musicians from Tavira were presented with musical instruments to encourage and support their interest in learning to play the guitar and the keyboard. Could this be the new generation of Church Musicians?
And the final presentation was to the Bombeiros – a defibrillator! Receiving the machine, Snr. Fabio Barros said, “We are so grateful to Christ The King for this gift. This will save countless lives and help us greatly in our efforts to offer top quality care for our Community.”
“Today is a demonstration of the ongoing symbiotic relationship we have with our community service providers,” Jane said. “This is of very high value to us here in Christ The King and one that continues to grow and develop. We have so much to be grateful for. We thank the Junta for allowing us to use this wonderful space in the park and for all that ASCA does for us.”
We are all looking forward to next year’s Community Sunday and how we can build on our relationships for that event. If you have any suggestions/recommendations or a scattering of thoughts, please speak to Jane Caulfield-Kerney.