Holy Dusters

for dealing with their concerns and that rioting was not acceptable. Then he dismissed them and they all went home.

After the uproar had died down Paul left Ephesus and continued his journey through Macedonia and Greece, visiting the churches and building them up. He stayed for three months in Greece and then retraced his steps back through Macedonia. He didn’t think it was wise to go to Ephesus again so he sailed by and disembarked at the port of Miletus which is to the south of Ephesus. From there he sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus so that he could say goodbye to them.

The account in Acts chapter 20 of this farewell meeting is very moving. Paul reminds them of all that he had done when he was with them and says that he feels compelled to return to Jerusalem – even though he has been warned many times that he will face prison and hardship. The elders are very upset because they know this means they will never see him again. “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship” – Acts 20 vs 36 – 38

Paul and his companions sailed on, stopping to visit more churches, until they reached Caesarea. Everywhere they stopped there were emotional farewells with people begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. But he was resolute and, as Jesus had done 25 years earlier, he set his face towards Jerusalem, ready to accept whatever befell him. Next month: A date with the Emperor.

St Mary the Virgin

Mowing & Path Sweeping Richard Vellacott / James Alpe / Tony Parkes / Mark Tarry

St James

Flowers and Cleaning Linda Albin and Kate Allen