Dear Friends
It is not just our parish which is on the verge of a new chapter. In March Bishop Bill launched a new initiative in the life of our Diocese to meet the needs of the 21st. Century - "The People of God Journeying On", consolidating and moving forward from the changes initiated from the earlier Diocesan Assembly in 2001. It was a day of celebration and anticipation. We learnt how various church communities had already begun to address change (including one that was already 2 years into an Interregnum themselves!) and we have already seen some of our own - you will read the PCC and Curate's Reports from the recent PCC AGM of the activities of our various Pastoral Teams and Worship Leaders - and we have recently begun to hold Wholeness & Healing Services which we hope to become a useful regular and major feature of the life of our church.
The Bishop also wrote in a recent "Coracle" article that as church members we are also perceived as the message as well as the messengers. There are still major practical challenges ahead if we are to represent the church we love to a waiting world - in our own town and parish as well as in our Diocese as our contribution to serving the present age: it is after all our Great Commission. Recent surveys have shown, despite falling attendances, a public interest in religion - I'm convinced that meeting that interest is what we need to be doing, making a difference: "the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step".
The People Of God Prayer
God of surprises, whose love is eternal yet ever new, you call us as your people to be a channel of blessing to others: help us to journey with you into the future you have prepared for us, surprise us with your mercy and grace waiting for us at every turn of the road, and bring us and the world you have given us to our journey's end in you; for you are the God who can do all things, and WITH YOU WE CAN, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Yours in fellowship