On two occasions recently I felt God impress on me a picture that I feel is relevant to the merging of the two churches. It is a picture of an orchestra. All the players are tuning up just before the concert. The conductor is about to come on and the players need to be ready. Each player is very gifted , each has a unique part to play. However at this stage of the proceedings the noise they make as they prepare is not very tuneful and doesn’t make a lot of sense – they are tuning up they are not playing at the moment. When the music starts some instruments will come straight in and some will have to wait until later in the piece to start playing. The fact that some don’t play at the beginning doesn’t alter the fact that they will all play eventually and at the right time. All will eventually play and all will be indispensable to the finished piece of music. There is excitement and anticipation in the orchestra since the conductor is about to appear on stage. He will command everyone’s attention and begin the beautiful piece of music. Every player must be alert to catch the tune, go with the flow of the conductor and play their instrument at the right time.

I think this is particularly helpful as we merge together. Some will know the part they are playing right from the start others will come into their own later but all of us must be there. All are important , all have gifts to contribute and all must be tuned into what the Spirit is saying and be ready and eager to follow Jesus’ (the conductor’s) lead.