Main menu:
Message From the Curate
After the Parish Annual General Meeting, we are entering into a
fresh time of our ordinary schedule. The guidance of the Holy
Spirit is leading us with our mission and with our new
commitments to serve the Kingdom of God as servants of the Lord.
The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecostal day gives us
hints of the continuous strengthening of our given tasks and the
vacuums will be filled by the Holy Spirit in order to carry out his
ministry in our area. When we think about the coming of the “Holy
Spirit” we should not come to the conclusion by thinking that
before his arrival on that day the Holy Spirit was not there. As a
church and the community of faith, we believe what the book of
Acts says but in general the Holy Spirit was there as "Ruawaleh"
meaning wind/Breath/strength of a human body and also Spirit of
God.
Gen- 2; 7 / Gen- 1; 16’/ Proverbs 7; 8 & 8;-10 “OHM”
When we read Proverbs 2; 6 the new testament Holy Spirit
described as a dove, Holy Fire "newma" in Greek, it is "God's
Spirit, Spirit of Jesus and breath", in the book of Acts, it is again a
fire came from heaven, can clean, renew and reenergize ourselves
all kinds of healing power miracle power which came from our
Lord, is recognized in the Holy Spirit. The spirit came after 50 days
of Jesus’s resurrection. Therefore the completion of 50 days and
birthday of the New Christian Community is important, reasons of
the Pentecostal day.
("John 20; 22 First time Jesus practically pronounce on the holy
spirit- Acts 1;8 the Holy Spirit empower us")
Acts 2; "Pneuma" Spirit. The spirit will teach us, empower us. He
will guide us with the knowledge of God.
Friends, believers, we need to move ahead with the Holy Spirit,
not because we fear the current challenges or incapable but we will
be strengthened by the wisdom of God so that the mission can be
carried out without fail.
As a countrymen and a nation in a failed state we are called to look
back at our failures and regain our strength and courage to build
our country. We are thankful to the Youth who are struggling for
justice, peace, unity and prosperity in our country. We must also
call all those who used Violence in order to suppress the values of
people. We invite the officials of the Law and order not to use
violence against unarmed and innocent civilians, rather work for
justice, equality, good governance.
It is true the cost of living of the necessary food and other items
are sky rocketing, the fuel prices of all other most needed items are
increasing every day. People are starving, losing their jobs; small
and medium businesses are collapsing. There are many who are
disappointed due to lack of medical treatments,due to shortages.
We really do not know how many are abandoned due to financial
assistance, elderly, differently abled and communities of racism
mental and physical difficulties cannot be ignored. So let us not
forget all those who need our prayers,love,generosity and helping
hands. We all are called to serve each other and care each other as
a true witnessing community so that God’s name be glorified.
I would like to see our young generation and middle aged group
strive to do some work in the society with the people who are
fighting for justice, peace and good governance. They can
creatively invite Youth to pray learn the scripture, share their
thoughts on their mother land, their responsibilities and
contribution to the Kingdom of Lord. Even though we tried our
best to come together on several occasions it is the Holy Spirit
brings us with utmost commitment for God’s kingdom, let us not
give up your hopes regarding Youth fellowship and its work this
year.
The strength of a priest always depends on unity of a parish. I
would rather like to see all the committees, institutions, organizers
of our parish working hard for the mission although we have
various reasons to abandon our work. We must be mindful that the
time of uncertainty is given to us to sustain more and more and to
believe that our God is taking care of us.
So therefore as St. Paul has written to Philippians let us not stop
our work rather continue to work hard with the given tasks before
us.
May I also remember some work we have done during the recent
past as part of our mission;
● Our curate Rev. Sanath and myself were able to visit some
parishioners and it was not continued due to restrictions by
the rule of Law.
We also started to deliver the Holy Communion to the individual
places and it will be continuously follow throughout the year.
● We were able to start the Sinhala service once again and
hope that will help our Sinhala speaking crowd to worship in
the vernacular.
● The handing over of K.I.I. is almost done and we are in the
final stage of work.
● We have been able to reconstruct the Vicarage Annex,
believing that our Diocesan Office may be shifted. I hope that
the newly appointed Trustees will continue the instructions
further.
● The proposed building project of 156 and 154 land at D.S.
Senanayake Veediya needs productive assessment before
we implement any work.
● We were able to sell our church van finally with much
struggle.
● The church Organ has been properly maintained, after a visit
by Mr. Hameendra from Moratuwa, last April.
● We are in a discussion of re-structuring our R & R and it
needs special attention for the Christian Social work wing.
● There were and are near methods of Teaching bible and the
learning process began a few weeks ago.We thank all those
who inculcate these spiritual exercises.
We are sad to inform you that many of our sincere
parishioners were called to rest by the heavenly father ; - Mr.
Keerthi Bharathie, Mr. Lionel Perera, Dr. Jeyaseelan, Mrs.
Dorothy Goonewardena, Mr. Christopher Worthington and
Dr. Lakmini Illangasinghe. They all gave their utmost to the
parish in different capacities and we pray for their loved
ones.
● The Annual General meeting of the parish was held on the
24th of April, 2022 and chosen a new group of Trustees and
we pray that they will take their responsibilities as soon as
possible.
● We too welcome Rev. Rasika Abeysinghe to our Church as a
Curate, and with Bro. Miranga and his wife, we share our
best wishes for their new stations and ministry as they
depart to the Diocese Brother Miranga came from. We
extend our support and solidarity with Bro. Miranga who
was truly helpful to our Mission work.
Finally let us work hard for the common good and the
extension of the Kingdom of God with great Love care,
where innocent people are waiting to receive from our
mission here.at St Paul’s Kandy. May the Lord continue to
bless our family and its mission
Thank you
Ven. George Melder
Vicar
Click to read Parish Quarterly Magazine
June 2022 to August 2022