Pilgrim Uniting Church, Adelaide SA SUN 28-NOV-2021 - 'Cutting of the Ties' Witness Rev Sandy Boyce 'Cutting of the Ties' – The recording is of the Witness address that Sandy delivered during the Cutting of the Ties service, a service that marked the conclusion of her 13 years of ministry as a Deacon in Pilgrim Church. She speaks of the work of Christ among the least and the last, as she has seen it and experienced it. In the chosen portion of the parable from Matthew's gospel, the "sheep" who had been separated from the "goats" were astonished when the king told them that by helping people in need, they had in fact been helping the king himself. They were not trying to be good, they simply saw need and acted. Love of God and love of neighbour had become one. Sandy tells us that during her ministry in this church, it has been a privilege to have seen so many acting generously and extravagantly, with a compassionate, caring ministry to the least and the last, along with a prophetic, bold advocacy for action aimed at righting the wrongs that cause so much misery. To be an ordained Deacon is not a stand-alone ministry, because much that is done is done by others and by people beyond the church. Her Witness concludes with a blessing: "May the Christ who walks on wounded feet walk with you on the road; may the Christ who works with wounded hands reach out your hands to serve; may the Christ who loves with a wounded heart open your hearts to love; and may you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet. And may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you. Amen." Matthew 25: 25-40 Playing Time   –   14:37