Barre Congregational Church
Home30 Park Street
Barre, Massachusetts
This Month's Message From Pastor Margaret - continued
of the summer brings important relief to them, and one can almost hear those in need and even the pets
and garden and farms say, thank you! You cared for me! You cared for us! We were thirsty and hot, and
you gave us water and helped us find places to help us cool off! Taking care of those in need is such a
special task and calling.
To see and feel when someone is in need, whether it be in the heat of the summer, or the cold of winter,
whether in sickness or loneliness, is important in how we then respond to that person, or persons.
Something inside us must be triggered by those in need, for our compassion to kick in, and to do
something to bring relief to the hungry and thirsty, and the afflicted. I have been afflicted physically this
past month and have been feeling the need for compassion from those around me. My husband has been wonderful, and my family too. It was wonderful to see the texts, the emails and prayers from you as church members and others. I felt the soothing of my soul, and the calming of my mind at the outreach, and the follow ups from everyone. It is just what I needed. The pastor needed her own church members and others to minister to her, and she told herself, “They cared for me!”
If they cared for me, and you have felt the care from others, and we care for those in need and for one another, how much more care is there in the heart of God for all of us! God’s love and compassion are deep and wide and high. God sees our concerns and hears our prayers. God sends God’s angels to surround us, and people in our lives to help us in our time of need. May God during this new year and new season help us all to continue to see the need in others, to find ways to be helpful, to pray and follow up, and make us all a community in ministry to God’s people. God bless you and all of us!
Pastor Margaret Keyser
