Thought for the Week with Rev Simon Howell, Stroud Pioneer Minister

A heart of love

In memory of Jamie Fletcher

I HAD the total honour of being asked to preside at the Celebration of Jamie’s Life on March 13, in St Laurence’s Church.

Over 650 came.

That kind-of says it all, doesn’t it?

When I asked those close to Jamie about what he was genuinely like, it became apparent that he didn’t have an ounce of malice in him.

He was gifted with an incredibly generous spirit, unwavering loyalty and selflessness.

That kind of love is having impact now - even though Jamie is no longer physically with us - isn’t it?

It is reverberating through Stroud today, and tomorrow, and the next day… its impact seems to have no end.

Who knows what powerful affect Jamie’s heart of love will be having through his family and friends for forever and a day?

I read from St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians in the Bible to sum up Jamie’s eulogy given on March 13: "Love is eternal.

What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face.

What we know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God's knowledge of us.

Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love."