Dear friends and families,
 
Hope you all are doing well, I was talking with someone and giving them all the information about the Brunswick Church Community and also that I am a Christian and wanted to let you know that we are here to help you if you need it. After the response I received, I was walking and thinking lots of things about all of my brothers and sisters who are still not aware of the real meaning of Christianity.
 
I was reading this poem and wanted to share with you all about what is the meaning of the word Christian. 
 
When I say,  'I am a Christian'
I’m not shouting, I’ve been saved!
I’m whispering, ‘I get lost!
That’s why I chose this way.
 
When I say, ‘I am a Christian’
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble
Needing God to be my guide
 
When I say, ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
And pray for strength to carry on.
 
When I say, ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.
 
When I say, ‘I am a Christian’
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
Asking humbly to be taught.
 
When I say, ‘I am a Christian’
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are all too visible
But God believes I’m worth it.
 
When I say, ‘I am a Christian’
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache,
Which is why I seek His name.
 
When I say, ‘I am a Christian’
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority...
I only know I’m loved
and I’m loved by Jesus Christ.
 
May we always tell others and never stop, that yes, we are Christian and will be till the last breath of our lives. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
 
Loving God,
Though our destination is not yet clear,
May we trust in Your graceful promises;
Though we are uncertain of ourselves,
May we be rooted in Your loving regard;
Though our attention is inclined to wander,
May we hear the things You are saying;
Though we often neglect Your influence,
May we be convicted of Your power to change,
In Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Have a blessed day.
​
Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Dear Friends 

Yesterday I went out for one of my early morning walks. Due to a meeting at Sacred Trinity in Salford planned for 9.30 (one of the churches that make up our missional community), I was in a bit of a rush. Not aided by the slippy conditions of snow and ice underfoot,  I attempted to walk on grass wherever possible to gain some speed. Sadly when I got home I discovered that I had dropped my phone en route. I rushed back to retrace my steps to try and find it (apologies Claire if I was somewhat distracted when briefly chatting with you!), but to no avail. Only then did I think of the available technology at my disposal – I have both a “find-my-phone” app, and one where family members can track each other through their phones’ position. Rushing back to the Rectory, I was able to borrow my daughter’s phone, and on venturing out one last time, discover my phone beeping aloud on a snowy grass verge on Plymouth Grove by the ambulance station! The wonders of technology which, depending on which of my children you talk to, can offer a degree of security, or oppressive snooping! 

Scripture reminds us that just like my trackable phone, we as human beings are always under the gaze of our creator and heavenly Father. Again, I wonder whether that gives us cause to be re-assured or slightly perturbed? I trust for all of us it’s the former and pray that through these dark and cold days of winter, we may know the warmth of God’s love, as he smiles down on each one of us.

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear friends and families,
 
Hope you all are doing well, today I want to share with you one of my favorite prayers. This prayer is like a love poem, it is about giving everything in God’s hand and surrendering to God in love and joy.
 
The traditional Covenant prayer makes it very clear that this affirmation is a serious one that embraces the whole of our life, in all its parts. Most people find it quite tough to say and really mean it. But prayer is so central to the Christian life. I would like you to read this covenant prayer slowly and reflect on this prayer. It was Wesley’s prayer, but it could be our prayer for 2023. This idea of Covenant was basic to John Wesley's understanding of Christian discipleship. He saw the relationship with God in Covenant as being like a marriage between human beings (both as a community and as individuals) on the one side and God in Christ on the other (cf. Ephesians 5.21-33). 

His original Covenant Prayer involved taking Christ as "my Head and Husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, for all times and conditions, to love, honor and obey thee before all others, and this to the death".
 
You all are welcome to share in a Covenant Prayer Service this Sunday evening 15th January at 7pm. If you can please come and join the service with us.  
 
A Covenant with God

I am no longer my own but yours. 
Put me to what you will, 
rank me with whom you will; 
put me to doing, 
put me to suffering; 
let me be employed for you, 
or laid aside for you, 
exalted for you, 
or brought low for you; 
let me be full, 
let me be empty, 
let me have all things, 
let me have nothing: 
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things 
to your pleasure and disposal. 
And now, glorious and blessed God, 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 
you are mine and I am yours. So be it. 
And the covenant now made on earth,
​let it be ratified in heaven.'
 
 
Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Dear Friends 

Happy New Year!

A favourite book (almost an old friend) that I am planning to re-read at the start of this new year, is entitled; “The God of Surprises” by Gerard Hughes. I was reminded of it at our New Years Day service last Sunday, when we used the following prayer. I share it again with us all, praying that each of us will be gently surprised and encouraged by the One who holds us and all things together. 

A New Year Prayer
We Pray... 
For healing... prepare us for surprises.
For strength... prepare us for surprises.
For vision... prepare us for surprises.
For transformation... prepare us for surprises.
For messengers and messages... prepare us for surprises.
For community... prepare us for surprises.
For acceptance – of ourselves and others... prepare us for surprises.
For making room at our tables... prepare us for surprises.
For Truth-seeking... prepare us for surprises.
For support... prepare us for surprises.
For Common Ground... prepare us for surprises. 
Walk beside us, O Holy One,
as we question and welcome,
as we challenge and invite,
as we discover and understand,
as we see, touch, taste, smell, and listen for the Newness awaiting us in 2023.
May we, Your Holy People, walk forward, together, and side by side.
Amen

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon