Dear Friends - a few updates in the midst of these challenging times.
Over my 30+ years in ministry I have sometimes had to be the bearer of bad news - never an easy task, but trust me nothing was harder than today when at lunchtime I had to let those who had gathered together for food know that this was the last time in the foreseeable future that the centre and Positive Steps activities would take place. The real sense of sadness, disappointment shared amongst some of the most vulnerable and isolated within our community was tangible. Please pray for all those who may be feeling alone and scared, that an awareness of God by their side may be a comfort.
For one remedy when feeling scared is to find comfort in one another, as evidenced by the actions of the first friends of Jesus who chose to be together in the upper room after Jesus left them. However, it would appear that this option is not available to us at present as a church fellowship, and we will not be meeting together at church on Sunday. Indeed the latest guidelines seem at odds with so much of what Brunswick fellowship is all about; gathering together in the presence of our Lord to worship and find encouragement, support and laughter. After extolling the virtues a couple of Sundays ago of the 3M’s (More people in the Mix, More of the time), it would appear that we are forced to have the exact opposite! Perhaps as we further reflect on our gospel reading last Sunday (amazingly taken from the C of E lectionary for a change - which was fortuitous as we had a surprise visit from Karen our Archdeacon!), and the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at the neutral setting of the well, we may discover new safe ways whereby we encounter God and each other. Please pray and bear with us, as we seek to work out how we remain connected with each other and God, next Sunday, and the foreseeable Sundays to come. More updates as and when we know them.
In Him
Simon
PS. At times like this, I also take comfort from music. I just today took delivery of a compilation CD from the gospel group The Clark Sisters - if it’s your thing: enjoy!
Over my 30+ years in ministry I have sometimes had to be the bearer of bad news - never an easy task, but trust me nothing was harder than today when at lunchtime I had to let those who had gathered together for food know that this was the last time in the foreseeable future that the centre and Positive Steps activities would take place. The real sense of sadness, disappointment shared amongst some of the most vulnerable and isolated within our community was tangible. Please pray for all those who may be feeling alone and scared, that an awareness of God by their side may be a comfort.
For one remedy when feeling scared is to find comfort in one another, as evidenced by the actions of the first friends of Jesus who chose to be together in the upper room after Jesus left them. However, it would appear that this option is not available to us at present as a church fellowship, and we will not be meeting together at church on Sunday. Indeed the latest guidelines seem at odds with so much of what Brunswick fellowship is all about; gathering together in the presence of our Lord to worship and find encouragement, support and laughter. After extolling the virtues a couple of Sundays ago of the 3M’s (More people in the Mix, More of the time), it would appear that we are forced to have the exact opposite! Perhaps as we further reflect on our gospel reading last Sunday (amazingly taken from the C of E lectionary for a change - which was fortuitous as we had a surprise visit from Karen our Archdeacon!), and the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at the neutral setting of the well, we may discover new safe ways whereby we encounter God and each other. Please pray and bear with us, as we seek to work out how we remain connected with each other and God, next Sunday, and the foreseeable Sundays to come. More updates as and when we know them.
In Him
Simon
PS. At times like this, I also take comfort from music. I just today took delivery of a compilation CD from the gospel group The Clark Sisters - if it’s your thing: enjoy!