Hi Everyone,

Well, it's been an interesting 24 hours. Even I'm interested in the football which must be a world first!

One of the things that I love about the big international events is that there's this shift that happens at some point where despair and doubt turn to hope and joy. I can see it in my own family; sharing a house with a football fan gives me a close up view of this phenomenon. Last night there was singing in the streets (and our house), not because the competition has been won but because there is hope.

It's what we do isn't it. We might not all be great singers but we sing when filled with joy and hope because it's how we are made (the less flattering image that came to mind is the cute chumbling noise that happy guinea pigs make!). I think it's why I have missed singing in church so much. Amazing Grace is like the Christian version of Three Lions. It's a hope filled anthem that sings out our faith (I'm smiling now trying to guess which one of those two songs is now stuck in your head).

We sing because Jesus has won a great victory and because we believe that he will bring it to completion. That he is making all things right, he's redeeming and renewing all of creation and he's building a kingdom that knows no end.

That's kind of where the football analogy falls down. You see, whilst last night was a great victory for the England football team, Saturday will be just as nail biting because the victory is hoped for but not certain or assured. Yet, this faith we have in Jesus is absolutely certain and assured. I can't guarantee what will happen on Saturday but I can promise that my heart will be singing on Sunday and everyday forever more.

So whatever happens this weekend, enjoy it. Have fun because we all really need fun in our lives in right now. But, if it all goes to pot on penalties, be assured that there is still plenty to sing about because there is hope. 

With love

Jess

Dear Friends

Once again, this Wednesday morning finds me looking out of the church office office window, whilst the toddler group takes place in the garden. It’s an inspiration to see the children being….well, children! Wide eyed, open to interaction with others, embracing new discoveries, and playing with wonderful abandon. There is a lot of joy being expressed, and I as an observer cheered too.

I wonder when you were last able to tap into such feelings? If we’re not careful, (and particularly in these times which remain challenging) we can become so taken up with adult responsibilities, concerns and worries, that the ‘free child’ in each one of us, can be squeezed out. If it’s been a while, can I encourage you to find time to engage in some play? For myself, on Monday I got to spend a wonderful hour or so playing pinball with Helen - a recreational pastime that played a part in bringing us together close to 27 years ago. On one level, it was frivolous, pointless and with no productive output. But on the other, it was wonderful escapist fun, where I also believe my heavenly Father, observing at a distance, was cheered too, and took delight in seeing His child rediscovering his free child!

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

...and Keep Childlike!

Simon

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to start by saying thank you to all of you who have sent such lovely messages to me over the past few days. I have genuinely felt very loved and I wanted you to know how precious you all are to me. I'm not going anywhere yet but one thing is for sure, I will miss you very much when I do move on.

It's been a strange few months. Beneath the facade of smiles there has been a fair amount of stress and a fair few sleepless nights going on in the background; wondering about the future, worrying about logistics, panicking about there seeming to be a lack of employment opportunities, and doubting whether I have what it takes to move on to the next stage.

These kinds of feelings are probably familiar to many of us. The specifics might be different but the feelings of fear and the stress are surprisingly similar. It's been a rough 15 months and, while some of us are celebrating that something like normal life is on the horizon, others of us are anticipating a rough road ahead. It's has been a really stressful time and, for some, life continues to be really stressful. 

Sometimes stress and fear can be really hard subjects to talk about in a faith context. I think it's because it sometimes feels like a lack of faith to express those things. Well-meaning people often give quick responses of "God's in control" or even "I'll pray for you", but it's not always helpful when you are really under pressure because those responses can feel like you are not being listened to or that your pain is being dismissed. 

So what does help? 

I think genuine listening really helps. Allowing someone to express fully all of those things that they are holding on to without comment or judgement can make the world of difference. Also doing that regularly when someone is in a prolonged stressful situation (even if they tell you exactly the same thing every time). Stress eats away at us on the inside, so expressing it is a little like cleaning a wound so that it doesn't become infected. A cup of tea or a pint of beer are usually welcome too!

I think encouragement makes a huge difference. Stress often eats away at our confidence and self-belief. We never know what people around us are going through so it's important that we build one another up, that we encourage each other and show our appreciation of one another as a habit.

I think prayer helps, but actual prayer, not just saying that we will pray and then promptly forgetting. The praying hands emoji or comments about "thoughts and prayers" have become just a kind thing to say when someone shares something difficult but ultimately those things are a bit hollow unless we actually are going to pray. Prayer makes a massive difference, particularly because those who are stressed often find it difficult to pray for themselves. 

I think practical assistance really helps. When things are at their worst, sometimes all you want is for someone to take the reins or hold some of the load. Always remember to ask what they want though. I had lots of well meaning people offering to do the cleaning for me when the kids were little but what I really needed was for someone to take the kids out for a couple of hours so that I could sleep. 

All of this might seem like good and sensible practical advice but, you might be asking where God is in all of this. I truly believe that God is in the midst of his people. He places us within the community of believers because it is in that environment that God expresses his love for us though his people. Jesus said that people who know that we are his disciples by our love for one another and the apostle Paul says that God places gifts within the church to build one another up. 

If things are good right now, remember to listen, to encourage those around you, to pray and to offer help to those who need it. If you are going through a tough time right now, lean on the family of believers, let us help you to carry the burden and remember, God is not far off, he has not forgotten and he will sustain you.

With love

Jess

Dear Friends

This lunchtime finds me typing away at my laptop, whilst sitting outside on the lawn in the rear Rectory garden. It’s good to be outdoors! Earlier today, I was able to complete what I label as my “4 park jog” – a bit of exercise taking in the wonderful green spaces of Whitworth, Platt fields, Birchfield and Swinton Grove and their respective parks. And it was lovely on my return to see our own church garden being utilised by the Wednesday toddler group, with the little ones enjoying the lawn and other areas to explore. Even in the midst of the city, we are blessed with green spaces where a combination of lawned grounds , and leafy boulevards (offering precious shade in these balmy times).

In our all age service last Sunday, looking at how God can use all of us in his service both young and old alike, and taking as our inspiration from the anointing of the young David, our prayer time utilised the church garden as a prayer station whereby we could take refuge and be refreshed “in green pastures”. Whilst the weather allows (and in the midst of prolonged uncertainty regarding Covid restrictions in the future), please be encouraged to spend a bit of time outdoors, or at least open a few more windows!), and take in some of the refreshment that God our creator wants to offer us.

Stay Blessed!

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
​
Simon