​Dear Friends,

This week I want to share something with you from a book I am reading and I am working to adopt this habit more in me. “Leaders Learning to Listen” by Chris Edmondson.  While I was reading this, I felt it was related to my current situation. Chris Edmondson states in the book that for listening you need time in your availability. Now, as I have moved into our parish. It is very helpful and fruitful to know people from my neighbourhood, streets, local school and from the church and listening to their stories.  I was listening to others when I was commuting from Oldham to Manchester but most of the time, I was just thinking of driving back to Oldham. I found in this busy life it is very hard to spare some time to properly listen to others.

David Augsburger says, “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable”. Therefore, the challenge for me and you is to spare some time to listen to others.  Being in Christ is one of our main jobs. There are many scriptures for a good hearing ear.

To conclude, I am 100% agreed with Martyn Atkins that “A Spirit-led church that truly listens will change the world”

So, let’s make a difference by listening to God and to one another.

Lots of love and blessings to you all.

Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Hello again to all my lovely friends,

I just wanted to share with you what I was doing whilst at the funfair in Alexandra Park on 10th August. We went for a fun day at the funfair which ended up being a life lesson for me. Jeremiah and Joshua were very excited to go to the funfair. As soon as they had their wristbands on, the boys quickly run for the rides. After three or four rides Jeremiah saw the fish table. That’s it. They wanted to have fish with a big tank, and quickly go back home. Now I am thinking me and Shahbaz (husband) need to sort out lots of other things and why do the kids need to add a fish tank as well? Why God why? Well, we said OKAY. Then a choice needed to be made. The boys were directing the fish lady regarding which fish they wanted. After all those choices they managed to choose two different goldfish. One each. And they gave the fishes names. Now we are home, the fish became special.

​Now I remembered the days when I wasn’t belonging to Christ and then He chose me by name and now I am His. In Isaiah 43:1, “Fear not, for I have Redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine”. Now, these fishes belong to the boys therefore, they call them by their names, and they are with them. Every time our life is full of struggles and responsibilities that we don’t want to take more of. But when we have no choice left and we have to say yes. Trust me and be encouraged that God will strengthen you because He said, “Fear not, for I have Redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine”

So lovely friends, you are not an ordinary person you are someone special. Chosen and redeemed by God, just as we paid for the fishes likewise God paid the price for all of us and that price is His one and only begotten son, our saviour Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed summer holiday.

Jesus loves you more than you love yourself.   

Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Praise the Lord, I am very happy to be at Christ Church in Brunswick to serve the Lord with all of you. My husband Shahbaz Masih and two gorgeous and blessed boys Jeremiah and Joshua are all very happy to be here. This is my first Musing letter so, I thought I would introduce myself to all of you and wanted to say a huge thanks to Simon, Jess, and everyone for all your help and support. I really loved the welcome card; it was very lovely to read all of your prayers and support. As you all know that I have completed my study in Theology, Ministry and Mission at St Mellitus College in Liverpool which is associated with Durham University. We currently live in Oldham and are looking forward to moving very soon to Manchester. My ordination happened on 4th of July and was great. It was made extra special by seeing you all here at church.

We appreciate your prayers in this special and strange time where alongside everything else we will be thinking to move to a new home in a new town. I would like to request if you can all please pray for Jeremiah and Joshua as they are moving school and house. However, the boys feel more relaxed after seeing you all being so welcoming.

I just want to share one parting thought and prayer for you all.

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
(Hymn: I, The Lord of sea and sky)

So, I am here to hold you all in my heart and we all will together hold others in our heart to make a difference in this broken world and bring God’s love to others with the help of God. Amen.

Together we will make a difference.

Have a blessed week,

Jesus loves you all.
 
lots of Love
​
Kathreen Shahbaz