Text Box: numb to the convictions of faith, other people model the Christian life and we are able to recall it. When God seems very far away, we listen to the sacred stories in worship and we are recalled into the Loving Presence. With the help of our church family we are able to remain grateful for something we are not able to directly experience for ourselves. The time will come when we are able to pray again. Our faith will return. Our hearts will once again thrill to the presence of God. But in the meantime, those of us who have a sense of the holy walk hand-in-hand with those of us who don’t, recalling for us the sweet fragrance of what we can see but only partially appreciate. Text Box: As my first year as your Interim Minister draws to a close, I would like to thank you for praying for me when I could not find the words, believing for me in times of doubt, and being living reminders of God’s abiding love when I feared I was alone. I am grateful. I am already looking forward to our second year together but, before we turn our thoughts to that adventure, there is a summer of refreshment to enjoy: May the mystery of God enfold us, may the wisdom of God uphold us, may the fragrance of God be around us, may the brightness of God surround us, may the wonder of God renew us, may the loving of God flow through us, may the peace of God deeply move us, may the moving of God bring us peace. (Aotearoan blessing) In Christ, Rev. Steve Willey Text Box: TO CONTACT MINISTER REV. STEVE WILLEY may be contacted at: Cellphone:- 416-807-1249 For Emergency:- Home:- 416-245-0174 e-mail:- cjuc@ sympatico.ca Centennial-Japanese United Church 701 Dovercourt Road Toronto, Ontario M6H2W7 Text Box: Message - continued from Page 2