ABIGAIL Hardiman, a preacher from Exeter, led the service at Crediton Methodist Church on Sunday, November 15. Her theme was "God Given Talents".

There was a short interview with Richard Martin, the church’s new Youth Worker. He spoke of his experience of youth work in Bristol and how his Christian faith helped him with the work. He was looking forward to getting out into the town and representing the Methodist Church in the community.

We heard the parable of the talents from Matthew 25 in a dramatic version. Abigail explained that a "talent" was equivalent to 20 years’ work for a craftsman – equivalent to £500,000 in today’s money.

The family challenge was taken up by three people to say how they would use monetary "talents" if they were given them. A child said she would buy educational resources for her school and support a child in Uganda through Edukid. Another child said he would donate to Children in Need and Hospiscare. A savvy business woman said she would invest in the company developing the Covid vaccine and then give the profits to the Foodbank.

Abigail explained that in the Bible story Jesus was the "master" and he was explaining that He would be leaving His disciples with all that He had taught them and would then return to see how they used that knowledge to show the love of God.

He was trying to motivate the disciples and relying on them to take risks and to use the talents they had.

In the story the master invited the two servants who had used their talents for good to share in His joy. We should use our God given talents (abilities as well as monetary) in the world and our local community.

One of the hymns we sang said "Take my talents, take my skills, Let my life be yours".

The church is closed again. If you would like to join us live at the Sunday morning services at 10.30am please contact the AV team using the email: [email protected] . Individual help will be given to work out how you can best access the worship. Alternatively you can watch the service at a later date by going onto: www.creditonmethodist.org.uk .

Bronwyn Nott