Hi Everyone,

This morning I have been contemplating exams. For most people this will not be their favourite subject. I have a love / hate relationship with exams. I find them stressful but I also like being able to measure how well I am doing. I want to know that I am hitting the mark. Basically, if you give me a star chart I'm a happy bunny (perhaps I should have mentioned this to Simon at the beginning of my curacy!). My lockdown project has been to teach myself piano and, after a few months break, I returned to daily practice with the hope of taking some exams soon – watch this space!

On Sunday we were thinking about calling; the call to love, to serve and to follow. During the sermon, one of the things I got everyone to do was to write a list of all the things that make them who they are. It's a really interesting exercise to do but, unlike my love of star charts, there is no pass or fail in this system of measurement. The goal is not to be the most accomplished; instead it is to know ourselves and who God has created us to be.

God calls us to come to him, just as we are, to know him and to know ourselves as loved by him. Then he sends us out to share his good news using the gifts, skills and passions that he has given us. We are often at our very best when we are authentically ourselves, restored in the image of God and empowered by his love for the world.

So, whatever you are doing today, be the you God made you to be and use all of your wonderfulness to bring his good news where you are.

With love

Jess

Dear Friends

As a result of my chosen profession, rather than my increasing age (although it was a close run thing) I am now as of Monday, one of more than 13 million (over a quarter of the UK adult population) who have now had my second vaccine jab. I am of course deeply grateful and thankful. However if I’m honest, I’m also greatly saddened that for many currently in other parts of the world, the fear of and impact of Covid remains greater than ever, where countries such as India, Brazil and others are paying a high price. I was moved by a statement put out by global faith leaders this week, that joined the call for a people’s vaccine. Echoing imagery from 1 Corinthians 12 concerning the interconnectedness of the body, it states:

"The Covid crisis has reminded us all of our interdependence, and of our responsibilities to care for one another. We can each only be well, when all of us are well. If one part of the world is left to suffer the pandemic, all parts of the world will be put at ever-increasing risk.” (Read the full statement here)

In other news; I continue to be blown away, by the goodness and generosity of God, as we witness further gifts being given towards our Refurb project. Almost every time we have hit a financial hurdle, with a variety of increased costs, the resources continue to come in and cover them. Again, we have much to be grateful for as we anticipate the work starting in less than a week. And how can we display our gratitude……?

Our hope is, that at the completion of phase one, we can hold a modern day example of the “thank offerings” that feature in both Old Testament and New; a display of our gratitude to God, which can then be passed on to one or two other fellowships; additional members of Christ’s body that we are linked to. 

In the meantime.

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Hi Everyone,

I have been thinking a lot about our Queen this morning. It is her 95th birthday today and I imagine she does not feel much like celebrating. I was struck again this morning by how utterly alone she must feel having lost her husband; the person that she confided in and who knew her best. In this moment, I suspect she is more human to us that ever. It's very rare that I can relate to royalty on a personal level; their experiences and story is so removed from my own. Yet I suspect that most of us have experienced that feeling of grief or loneliness at some point in our lives. I certainly can say that that is true of me. 

One of the most notable things for me about our Queen's her strong faith. While she has inherited the title "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England" her faith is not just another duty associated to her role but she has a very real and genuine faith. You only have to listen to her speak about faith to realise that. She has often spoken of the importance of her faith and how it has sustained her over the years and many of us can testify to the same.

However, it is not the ritual, or tradition that sustains us (although we may find that comforting at times). Ultimately, it is a real and living relationship with God through Christ that makes the difference. He is the one in whom and for whom we live, breath and exist. He is the one who brings us comfort and peace and it is in him that we have hope in the resurrection; the enduring belief that death does not have the final word.

So today I pray for our Queen, and for all of us, that we would know God with us and that we would rest in the knowledge of his enduring love, his faithfulness to us and his promise of eternal life.

With love

Jess

Hi Everyone,

It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue but I hope you are getting chance to enjoy a few of the new freedoms we have at the moment. I have spoke to a number of people who are excited to get back to the gym. It will come as no surprise to you that going to the gym is not high on my priority list but it's great to see so many people so happy. I'm looking forward to the May date when we can go back to meeting others indoors. I love the outdoors but it's still not quite been warm enough for me to visit family yet who live a bit further away. I love them dearly but sitting in the garden or in a park in the hail, sleet and snow does not sound fun.

It was also really encouraging yesterday to meet with a few others to begin thinking about what we might be able to start doing again in the near future as church. It finally feels like we are starting to see a way to get back to being able to do the things that we do best in the way that we would want to do them. So keep listening to the notices because hopefully there will be good things beginning to happen over the next few months.

Right now, everything feels hopeful and that's exactly as it should be. We are still in the season of Easter and are still celebrating the great news of the resurrection. The stories we read on a Sundays are so full of joy as we hear of various resurrection appearances in the lead up to Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. And that joy and hope is not just for those people living 2000 years ago but it continues for us today. Jesus is alive, he is with us by his Holy Spirit and, despite the all the challenges and sorrows, he brings us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Great is his faithfulness! 

Why not spend some time thanking him and praising him today? Sing along to a hymn or worship song (there are some great ones out there) or spend a few moments giving thanks - you could even start a gratitude journal.

Whatever you have planned for today I hope you have a great one. 

With Love

Jess

Dear Friends

As I look out of the church office in the lunchtime sun, the bunting still fluttering in the wind serves as a lovely reminder of the joyous Easter service held outdoors just a few days ago. Whether you were outside or connected through Zoom, I trust the time spent together and with our Risen Lord was as good for you as it was for me!

It has of course been one heck of a year. We acknowledged this in part with the construction of our yearly Easter psalm which went as follows;

Psalm 151
Lord God, this year has been unlike any other, and yet…….

We are still together, with you in our midst.
Help us appreciate this moment
as we fix our eyes on you.
Thank you for your resurrection hope.
Help us to be strong in the bad times,
and praise you in the good times.
As we await to meet again, may you prepare us in your love and patience.
You are still our God, and we praise you!
Amen

…and for those who hanker after further opportunities to meet together, Thursday lunchtime prayer @12.00 continues this week on Zoom. (Meeting ID: 553 007 950).

In the meantime.

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith

Simon