By the time you read this, Lent will be well underway, as will our Lent groups. Hopefully you are already involved in your own Lenten discipleship and are gaining much from the Churches Together Lent Course….if not, there’s still time! Last month, when Archdeacon Nicola visited us she shared a Rabi’s saying concerning a Lenten Message in each pocket. In one pocket: “You are dust and to dust you shall return” ….reminding us of our mortality, our need of God, and the importance of sorting out our relationships with others and with God. In the other pocket: “For you the whole Universe was made” ….balancing the former message with an awareness of the wonder of God’s love for each one of us. As we continue our journey through Lent, may we achieve the balance of the Rabi…..and recognise this Lenten opportunity as a gift that enhances life in all its fullness!
Website www.stjohnshighbridge.org.uk
Several of the contacts that have been made recently - concerning Sunday services, baptisms and weddings - have come about via our website! Gradually members of our church family are becoming braver –photos are appearing and even the odd shared thought or information about roles. Do see Tracy if you’d like to know more or if you have any ideas that might be useful. If you haven’t got internet access, either personally or via your family, do let us know - I’m sure we can arrange for you to see how we’re getting on!
Vacancy Update
Although interviews for our new Vicar took place last month, no one was appointed. This may seem a disappointing situation, however, it is a far better position than had the wrong appointment been made. I’m reminded of the matchmaker role from Fiddler on the Roof! Better to wait than to marry in haste…. The relationship between Vicar and Parish does seem a bit like a marriage. So, the discernment process continues, for us and for those whom God is preparing to move. Please do keep praying for the man or woman that God is leading in our direction and for those involved in the discernment process on our behalf. In the mean time our teamwork continues to develop, and there are plenty of opportunities for one and all to be involved as we respond to God’s plan for our lives.
Stations of the Cross
Watch out for these services of quiet prayer and contemplation held Fridays at 5pm through Lent. In our busy lives it is good to stop, and to think and be still for a while. If you’ve not tried them yet - do come!
Pam, Our Music & Our Weekly Sheet
Joyce has printed a supplement to this month’s magazine, containing some of the many tributes to Pam and some excerpts from her funeral service. As a church family we already miss her greatly – a fellow companion along our way as well as organist and doer of many different jobs. However Pam would be very unimpressed if we let things slip, and we are extremely grateful to Shirley for stepping in so quickly to keep us going musically and to Christina for picking up the task of putting together our Weekly Sheet. They have both agreed to help us out and to see how things go. Let’s do all that we can to support them while they discern where God is leading them….
Education! Education! Education!
At St. John’s, we are well aware of the challenges and opportunities that change can bring about. However we are not the only ones who are in a time of flux. Our local schools are undergoing some major changes this year. Please do pray for their leaders, their supporters and guides, their parents and staff, and most importantly their children.
Working Together
We have our Easter Fayre this month. Fund raising is an important aspect of this, but so is the team work and fellowship that it involves! Please do support this event from the inside (by contributing to the stalls, and maybe running one or helping do so) and from the outside (by coming along and bringing your friends and family! Let’s open wide the doors and offer a real St. John’s welcome to all who enter in, and have some fun too! There is no need to ask if you are needed…..the answer is YES!
Wishing you, and all whom you love, an active and reflective Lent, and a joyous and celebratory Easter!
Rev’d. Chris |
