Evidently it is volunteers week - an opportunity to celebrate those who give of their time, ability and energy for a whole range of organisations and causes.  I have to confess until I saw a mention elsewhere, I was totally unaware of it.

Now I know, it gives me the opporutnity to say THANK YOU to the countless volunteers who make Church possible.  In no particlular order...

• Sunday School leaders
• Creche workers
• Flower arrangers
• Tea makers
• Welcome stewards
• Hymnbook stewards
• PA riggers
• Service recorders
• Chair putters out and in
• Heating setters
• Rota arrangers
• Bible readers
• Prayer leaders
• Choir singers
• Piano (and other instrument) players
• Noticeboard fillers (and clearers)
• Bookings takers
• Secretary
• Treasurer (acting or otherwise!)
• Finance recorders
• Banking facilitators
• Gift Aid claimers
• Trustee managers
• Development project steerers
• Funding raisers
• Offering counters
• Coffee buyers
• Notice printers
• Magazine editors and contributors
• Event planners
• Pastoral carers
• Outing planners
• Lift givers
• Small group facilitators
• Banner hangers
• Ice cube freezers
• Communion setters up
• Candle buyers
• Evening service leaders
• Flower tub gardeners
• Litter pickers
• Steps sweepers
• Hymn book repairers
• Minute takers
• Sandwich makers
• And whoever else I have inevitably forgotten along the way

If I missed you and you are reading this - I apologise.

Whoever you are, and whatever you do THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

David Goodbourn was known to many people I know, and I think I probably met him once or twice when he was at Luther King House in Manchester.  Certainly he and I knew a lot of the same people from the same churches/colleges even if we didn't know each other.

On Saturday June 6th a memorial service for David will be held at Bloomsbury Baptist Church, London.  From Sunday 7th a little book of his last sermons and articles will become available (see photo above nicked from social media).

David's final sermon was for Remembrance Sunday last year - and was delivered posthumously by one of my former college tutors.  It seems fitting that his last words are recorded and offered to a wider audience in memory of him.