Riverview Review 2023 - Flipbook - Page 6
DR TANIA
WATSON
Francis Ridley Havergal lived in the
19th Century. She wrote wonderful
hymns and books; works that have
been inspirational for generations
of followers of Jesus. Perhaps
her best known hymn is one of
consecration: “Take my life and let
it be, consecrated Lord for thee.” I
think that one of the reasons why
Francis’ writing remains so accessible
and continues to challenge us
today is because she lived what she
believed, and knew to be true, with
integrity. In suffering and in ordinary
days, Francis’ work is marked by
confidence in Christ through whom
she experienced hope and joy in all
circumstances.
In the preface of one of her books,
Francis encourages the recording
of what she calls “Red Letter Days”.
She notes that we find it easy to
dwell on difficulties and to recall
disappointments and despair. “What
if”, she suggests, we follow the
example of the community of God’s
people recorded in the pages of the
Bible? What if we were to keep a
record of all the good things that the
1
Lord does for us? Red Letter Days are
days of “… hallowed remembrance”.
Red Letter Days gladden our hearts
and help us through days that are not
so bright.
Riverview Review is a way in which
we look back and reflect on the
many, many good things that we
have experienced with the Lord in the
year that has just passed. Yes, it’s a
way in which we are transparent and
give account for what we have done
as a church. But it is also a way in
which we celebrate and give thanks
for the Lord’s shaping and forming
of us as his people. This is not to
say we disregard the challenges and
hardships, or paper over pain. Rather,
we recognise and remember that in
all things, Christ is present with us
and holds us in his secure and perfect
love.
In 2023, we aimed to live deeper
into our mission and vision with a
particular emphasis on helping one
another to be “known in community”.
In my view, our Sunday gatherings
have become for us “Red Letter
Days”. They are days in which we
have all noticed that our willingness
to be present to one another as
people who are a part of Riverview
Church grew throughout 2023. Thank
you for opening up your lives to one
another and please, let’s keep on
doing that. As we do, let’s keep on
encouraging one another to keep
opening up our lives more and more
to the loving and shaping work of our
Jesus. Let’s make every gathering a
red letter occasion; a celebration of
the good news that marks our lives.
Dr Tania Watson