Some years ago, when Margaret New and I were serving on the UK/EU Ministerial Board I began to sense it would be a good thing to begin to support the wider MSIA family, especially those who were either old, infirm or isolated. Around this time John Morton started to talk about the need to build community and take care of one another. From these seeds, Heart Reach and Heart Felt were borne and now there is a beautiful flowering. From my observation it’s been an incremental process in the UK/Europe.
Firstly, Louise Lautman stepped forward as Heart Reach representative. She leads with a monthly newsletter, full of wisdom. She also now hosts a monthly Walk in the Park, planting Light columns and promoting community action.
Next to arrive on the scene was the dynamo that is Caroline Khambatta whose calling and skills have literally carried the purple flame of the Traveller with individual acts of tenderness and caring, to those who need them the most. The nurturing Mother energy is strong in Caroline, but counter-balanced by the male principle of action. Taken together she is a tour de force – truly Loving in Action.
And it was this pure example of a sense of shared community, as well as the individual honouring of my mother Margaret, Minister Emeritus and the oldest MSIA Minister on the planet, which led Caroline to do what she does best, and to create the most wonderful celebration of Margaret’s life, as well as reaching out to the worldwide community of MSIA to honour Margaret’s 107th birthday. But let Caroline speak for herself:
“Gosh, those of you who were able to join the Zoom birthday party will have experienced the incredible Light and loving. This was a completely unique event, celebrating a very special minister’s 107th birthday. Margaret has little sight but certainly heard the beautiful words, poetry readings, music and tributes.
What was really significant, was the energy. So many people had made a difference by posting birthday cards (over 60 were received), typing numerous email messages and sending so much Light. And Margaret was blessed with two beautiful bouquets: one from the Traveller, Leigh and the Presidency and a second from the UK Community. The amount of energy coming in may have caused a few technical challenges for the team who still managed to help people enter the Zoom room and play John Morton’s Moment of Peace “Blessing in our eternal nature, April 2019”.
Jsu got up at 3am in Japan to join us to call in the Light and share his loving presence. Lily Florence wrote and sang a beautiful song which she will play again, in person with Margaret, later this year. Joanne Avison read ‘On Westminster Bridge’ by Wordsworth, a poem both Margaret and Joanne had studied in their younger years. While Nathalie Franks, Kinka Gerke and Lily Florence shared their experiences and loving of Margaret, Lars Forberg, Lori Matson and Joanne, were busy with all the technical stuff. They say it takes a village. When each person in the village contributes a few stitches to an intended tapestry, the result can be incredible.”
Margaret told me, that she felt somewhat overwhelmed on the day, with over 40 people singing happy birthday on Zoom. It took a day and a half to open and display all her cards and another week for things to calm down here. It only really remains to thank everyone who contributed, especially Caroline for her cheerful, good natured service and love of the Christ, which underpinned everything she did to lead us towards this Light-filled, blessed event.
Baruch Bashan
