Minister's Message – December 2025/January 2026

A Candle in the Darkness

Dear Christian Friends,

As we enter the sacred season of Advent and approach the close of another year, our hearts are once again drawn to the mystery of God’s love made flesh. December is a month of lights and longing, of celebration and contemplation. It is a time when the world pauses—if only briefly—to remember a birth that changed everything.

The Candle in the Window

In a quiet village nestled between hills and frost-covered fields, there lived an elderly woman named Miriam. She was known for her warm bread, gentle smile, and the single candle she placed in her window every evening without fail.

Children would ask, “Why do you light that candle, Miss Miriam?”

She would smile and say, “It’s for the traveller who’s lost, the neighbour who’s lonely, or the soul who’s forgotten they are loved.”

Years passed. The village changed. New families arrived, old ones moved on. But Miriam’s candle remained. One bitter December night, a fierce snowstorm swept through the valley. Roads were blocked, power lines fell, and the village was plunged into darkness.

That night, a young man named Elias, unfamiliar with the area, found himself stranded. His car had skidded into a ditch, and his phone had no signal. Shivering and disoriented, he trudged through the snow, unsure where to turn—until he saw it: a single flickering light in the distance.

It was Miriam’s candle.

She welcomed him in, wrapped him in a blanket, and served him warm soup. “You’re safe now,” she said. “This candle was waiting for you.”

The next morning, as the storm cleared, Elias asked, “Why do you do this? Every night?”

Miriam looked out of the window and whispered, “Because once, long ago, I was lost too. And someone lit a light for me.”

Dear friends, Miriam’s candle is more than a tale—it is a parable of the Gospel. In Christ, God placed a light in the window of the world. A light that says, “You are not forgotten. You are not alone. Come in from the cold.”

This December, may we each become candles in the windows of our communities. In our giving, listening, praying, and presence, may we reflect the light of Christ—especially for those who walk in darkness.

Let us not grow weary in love. Let us not withhold our warmth. For in every act of kindness, we echo the holy night when Love was born in a manger.

This Is Our Year: Rise with Purpose!
A New Year Message for the Church and Circuit – 2026

As we step into 2026, let us do so with hearts full of determination, minds sharpened by focus, and spirits anchored in commitment. This is not just another year—it is a sacred invitation to live meaningfully, to serve faithfully, and to walk boldly in the light of Christ.

Our lives are held in the hands of the Lord. In that truth, we find peace. And while there is life, there is hope—and joy. Every breath is a gift, every day a chance to make sense of our time and to shape it with love, grace, and purpose.

Let us not drift through the days ahead. Let us rise. Rise with purpose in our prayers, our worship, our outreach, and our fellowship. Let us be intentional in our service, generous in our giving, and courageous in our witness. The church is not static—it is alive, and this year, we embrace change not as disruption, but as a divine opportunity.

In our circuit and congregations, may this be a year of renewal. A year where we listen deeply, act justly, and love abundantly. A year where we honour the past, engage the present, and prepare the future with faith and wisdom.

May the Lord bless you with clarity in your calling, strength in your journey, and joy in your labour. May your homes be filled with peace, and your hearts with praise this new year. This is our year. Let us walk together with hope and holy resolve.

Inspiring Words to Carry with You into the New Year:
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
• “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
• “Blessings upon blessings to you and your loved ones. May God's grace abound in your life, and may His peace be your portion throughout 2026.”

Let us embrace this new year with hope, faith, and a steadfast spirit. Together, in God's grace, we will make 2026 a year of meaningful change and divine blessings.

Happy New Year! May our lives be fruitful in 2026.

Thank you. God bless.

Yours devotedly,
Rev George K Quarm