Dear Sibs, this month I want to talk to you about a well-known scripture, Ecclesiates chapter 3. It happens to be one of my most favourite pieces of scripture that the Lord has given us. I keep this scripture close to my heart in order to remain grounded in Christ Jesus.   You see, by remembering that in all things there is a season, a set time for experiences to last, I am able to maintain some sense of reality and focus on life. Whether it be good times or bad times - during that season I must ensure that I learn whatever lessons God wants me to learn. The purpose being to equip me with the knowledge and experiene that will nurture and develop me. That it may be utilised to encourage and nurture others.   Many people when remembering this scripture fail to go pass the lines of 'A time to...and a time to...' however further reading (verse 11) reminds us that God has made everything beautiful in it's own time. He has set eternity in our hearts. (NIV) To me, that signifies a process of development and growth. It is through experiencing these situations that we blossom.   On behalf of the United by ONE team, I would like to say a big 'THANK YOU' to AJ who has been a servant of inspiration during her time with us. She has been a huge blessing and has encouraged many. I pray she continues to blossom.   Until next month Chantal       The Meaning of 'Goodbye'.     By AJ     Hi guys,   We have all experienced that moment when we have had to say goodbye. It could have been to someone special, or leaving somewhere nice or seeing a certain situation come to an end. It can be a moment filled with high emotions and tears or more likely a bittersweet moment. However, it is not often that we think of goodbye as being a time connected with happiness and positive feelings. I got to thinking about the times where I have had to say goodbye in my life and they fit all of the above categories. I can clearly remember (and it takes some going I can tell you) my last day at primary school and saying goodbye to all of my friends. There were hugs, promises to meet up and yes lots of tears. Strolling down memory lane also draws me back to ending the relationship with my first boyfriend. Ouch! that goodbye was definitely bittersweet. Good memories entwined hopelessly with the reasons for me wanting to say goodbye. Then I remembered the time when I was leaving London to go and live in the Midlands. Wow! That was a time of great excitement because it meant moving to a new home and a new job. I was glad to say ‘adios’.   So goodbye is not all bad news. A close friend of mine recently attended the funeral of a much loved aunt in Jamaica. Upon getting the news and making the journey from England to Jamaica he felt rather sad. He knew that this was the ultimate goodbye. He had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he thought of the impending funeral. However, on the day it was very different from what he expected. There was not wailing but loud rejoicing. People praised God for her life and the strong upheld the weak. He said it was the best send off he could imagine. In the Bible (Ephesians 5 v.31) it talks of a man leaving his father and mother and uniting with his wife. In the appointment of the Judges, it tells us that Moses said goodbye. He left his wife, family and friends and went up to Mount Sinai. It was there he received the Ten Commandments. Jesus spoke to his disciples in John 16 v.22 and told them ‘That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no-one can take away from you’ (GNB). In all the above scenarios the goodbyes all served a purpose. They appeared to be sad times but in reality, what was to come as a result of the goodbye was something greater. I have learnt over the years that saying goodbye is not always final, and neither does it have to be a sad occasion. I have also learnt the art of saying ‘so long for now’ is sometimes more fitting. I hear you wondering what's the point of all this? Well, it's time for me to say ‘so-long-for-now’ to UB1. The road has been great however I have some other avenues to explore. I’m sure you all know by now that time is one of the most precious commodities of modern times. So, keep reading, keep strong in the faith and take care till we meet again….. Peace & Love Ur girl, AJ