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‘Merry’s miscellany’

The Vicar’s monthly letter for the Parish News

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January 2026

New Beginnings and Steadfast Love

As the new year begins, many of us take stock of our lives. We set resolutions, identify habits we want to change and consider what we hope the coming months might hold.

These moments of reflection can be useful, not because they promise instant transformation but because they help us pay attention to who we are becoming. Change is a normal part of life and each year brings its own opportunities and challenges.

Alongside this change, Christians hold onto a steady truth: God’s character does not shift with the calendar. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

While our circumstances rise and fall, God’s faithfulness remains constant. This isn’t a sentimental idea; it’s a grounding one. It reminds us that our identity and value are not determined by how well we keep our resolutions or how productive we feel.

Because God’s love is dependable, we have room to be honest about where we are and what we hope for. We can make thoughtful, courageous decisions without fear of failure defining us.

This might mean taking a step we’ve postponed, starting a conversation we’ve avoided, or approaching the year with a clearer sense of what truly matters. Hope, in this sense, is not wishful thinking but confidence rooted in God’s enduring presence and in the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

So as you look ahead, whether with enthusiasm, uncertainty, or a mixture of both, remember that you do so whilst being held by a love that does not change. In that stability, may you find the freedom to act boldly, live wisely and move into the new year with a steady and realistic hope.

Merry Smith