Dear Friends,
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
I’ve been enjoying getting to know people during my two ‘vestry spaces’ and also within public worship on a Sunday and in church by visiting the many clubs and out-reach activities run from St. Paul’s. I have also, very much enjoyed visiting people at home that cannot attend church. I have yet to visit all groups and look forward to joining you soon.
Fellowship with God’s people is so important and the more opportunities we have for this the better; the more connected and united we are as a church, the more our family of faith will grow and mature in our love for Christ Jesus and each other. This is one of the main reasons for having our church conference and lunch on Sunday 20th October following the church service. Coincidentally , this is also the Service of Dedication for our wonderful Guild. This will be a chance for the whole family of faith to spend quality time together over food.
The conference on the 20th, will give us the opportunity to explore how we can partner with our living God, to enable our Christian family to reach other people out-with the walls of our church, who don’t yet know His love! It’s important to nurture and feed our own faith but it can’t stop there! To be a disciple of Jesus involves being intentional about sharing our faith in loving service.
The General Assembly of October 2020 endorsed the Five Marks of Mission, agreeing that for the Church to be fit for purpose in the 21st century, these five marks must be evidenced at local, regional and national levels. Originally developed by the Anglican Communion in the 1980s as a way to define Christian mission, they are:
- Witness to Christ's saving, forgiving, reconciling love for all people
- Build welcoming, transforming communities of faith
- Stand in solidarity with the poor and needy
- Challenge violence, injustice and oppression, and work for peace and reconciliation
- Protect, care for and renew life on our planet.
As a church we will be asking how we think we meet, or could meet these 5 Marks of Mission. This may require us:
- re-thinking how we use some of our resources
- ‘uplifting’ or ‘modifying’ some of our out-reach groups
- being more intentional in sharing our faith
- engaging more in consultation with community groups
- reviewing the effectiveness of activities that are not bearing fruit for Christ Jesus
- exploring different styles of worship in addition to our traditional service of worship on a Sunday morning.
Change will not be made overnight and being a more ‘missional’ minded church is an on-going process. Therefore, there is also going to be a Vision Day planned for the New Year with guest speaker: Very Rev. Dr. Martin Fair.
If you are reading this magazine and it has been some time since you’ve been able to attend the church - maybe you’ve got away from the rhythm of attending worship - please do not think this prevents you from reaching out.
You may also have never stepped inside your local church, and maybe you haven’t ever been involved in worship.
God is always willing and wanting to offer His love and mercy to his children and as a church family we believe the same. No one is outside the love and care of God. So, if you’re reading this letter, please take this as an invitation for you to join us, a warm welcome will be waiting for you.
And if something is troubling you, please pick up the phone or drop-in and see me during vestry time (Wednesday AM and Thursday PM). No problem is too small or too big.
It’s my joy and privilege to be your new minister,
Love In Christ,
Lynsey