The Political Parties, the local football club, St Clare’s Hospice, the  Scouts, the churches, the distribution of Outlook each month, plus the many and various Community Groups and lots of other parts of our local and national life - they would grind to a halt if it were not for the work of volunteers. This army of committed people who just keep things going are to be applauded.

In May each year we see a specific example of this in the churches – Christian Aid Week – and our magazine this month contains information about the reason why people are willing to walk the streets in aid of strangers they’ll never meet.

Jesus told a parable about feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoner and welcoming the stranger – and he said, as you did it for these people, you did it for me.  This down-to-earth service is an act of Godly kindness.

There is so much of this already happening around us, but we can all do  a little more of this. There is no limit to the number of people who can join the army of volunteers – it just takes a desire to make someone’s life a little better. In God’s system of economics, he/she who gives in this way receives back infinitely more in return. So go on – give it a go.

You know it makes sense!