Dear Friends

At PCC last night, in response to a water pipe leak we had experienced in the building earlier, I reflected “streams of living water” a theme and promise of the spirit of God that crosses over from Old to New Testament, right through to the book of Revelation, where in chapter 21 we read;

Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost."

Today the global church remembers the events of the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, as recorded in Luke’s gospel, the occasion for Mary to sing her great hymn of praise in honour of her Lord and God. Just as Luke sees John the Baptist as the last of the prophets of the old covenant, he uses John’s leaping in Elizabeth’s womb as the first time John bears witness to Christ as the promised Messiah. Thereby he links the old covenant with the new. He seems to be saying that just as the old covenant clearly points to Jesus, so does its last prophet, yet to be born. Again, there is consistency in the journey from old to new.

Amusingly, over the last week week, within our community, I picked up rumours of my impending retirement, which was indeed news to me! Whilst looking forward to an extended break over the final quarter this year, I can assure you that I have no current plans to move on, or indeed retire. However we always need to be looking to the future and to others to whom we can pass the baton, to ensure continuation from the old to the new (as again we talked about in PCC). Having stood in front of the congregation with Millie, and marvelling at her own confidence and eloquence when speaking, it’s once again a reminder that that the things of God continue to move from the old to the new.  

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

​Dear friends and families, 
  
Protection is a very important element in our life, especially when we know that physically we won’t be with our loved ones. That peace of mind is very essential, and I can see in John 17:11 Jesus is making sure that His children are going to be safe and secure while he is going to the Father.
 
Just imagine when we look for a childminder for our children, we make sure the person we choose is the right person for our children and we prefer to choose our parents to look after our children (if possible).

When Jesus was in His earthly ministry and before He went to His Father on Ascension Day, Jesus requested to His Father, which is also known as Jesus’ departing prayer to the Father for his disciples. He wants God to keep them and care for them. He wants them to find God's peace among themselves. He wants them to be unified — as closely "in sync" as He and His Father are, and they are one. He was so caring for us in the past, He is so caring for us now and He will be in the future too. His name is Emmanuel means God is with us. 
  
As we are looking forward to celebrating the Pentecost day when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as he promised to his disciples let us be encouraged and say loudly that God is with us in trinity, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
 
God is with us no matter what situation we are in now or we will be in the future. God is with us.
With lots of love and blessings.

Have a blessed day. 
​
Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Dear Friends  - Happy Ascension Day!

As Helen and myself are gearing ourselves up for the emotional waving off our eldest in a couple of weeks, as she embarks on her South American adventure (if you’re interested check out her page) I’m always struck by the accounts of Jesus’ departure from his disciples at his ascension. This occasion, with no hope of seeing Jesus until a reunion in heaven, is recorded as one of great joy and not (as I would have assumed) sadness. Luke’s account in chapter 24, closes with the words:
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Indeed this experience the disciples shared, was clearly the ultimate validation that God was in charge, and rather than be separated from Jesus, the whole earth could now connect with him. As a former Bishop of Manchester eloquently describes it:

The Ascension of Christ is his liberation from all restrictions of time and space. It does not represent his removal from earth, but his constant presence everywhere on earth.
William Temple

So may we at this ascension-tide, equally rejoice that we have direct access to God our Father through Jesus, wherever on the earth we may be, and perhaps out of our joy, commit to to pray for others who we know, who as yet don’t hold this hope. Do please consider using the helpful resources of Thy Kingdom Come, between now and Pentecost Sunday.

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear friends and families,
 
Hope you all are doing well, I just want to share with you two days' experience I had with my new and old clerical friends during the time at the Clergy Conference, Swanwick. It was a very blessed feeling around the blessed people, it reminded me of Hebrews 10:25
“We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.”
 
Because of Covid, we were stopped to meet in person but now here is the time to meet and gather together in person to encourage and bless each other. David in his Psalm 133 encourages us as well when he says:
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

It is so amazing to meet people in person with the unity of our Lord.

Therefore, be encouraged to come on Sunday in person to get blessings and also to give blessings to others as well.
 
See you in person (if you can please) at Sunday's service @10:45am with lots of love and blessings.
​
Have a blessed weekend.
 
Rev Kathreen Shabaz

​Dear Friends 

When preparing for last week’s AGM and looking back at previous Rector’s reports shared over the years, I was quite nostalgic, reflecting on the contributions of a myriad of folk in the service of God at our church. Folk, some of whom were here for many years, indeed some still serving, whilst there have been others who journeyed with us briefly, but who still left their mark. Brunswick Church and the mission of God has benefitted hugely from those journeying with us both short or long alike, and equally I believe, that much has been gained by those on the journey too.  I love the lines from the hymn "Brother, Sister let me serve you”, which include;

We are pilgrims on a journey,
and companions on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load 

Indeed, in this post Easter season, perhaps one of the more striking stories concerning the followers of Jesus, is that of those who when travelling on the road to Emmaus, experienced Jesus journeying with them, and who were indeed blessed by the encounter. 

Over the course of the next month we will have another pilgrim journeying with us briefly. Peter writes: