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'Outlook' Newsletter for June 2007
The Bigger Picture Thank you for praying for the PCC Vision Day in May. It took place on the Saturday at the end of our Wydale holiday. Those of you who have been on that holiday will know that jigsaw puzzles feature large. During the week there is a communal effort to complete a large and complex puzzle. Many people contribute by placing pieces so that eventually the puzzle is all finally in place. I felt we were engaged in a similar exercise in our Vision Day. What we did not do, however, was to get down to putting the individual pieces in place. We rather stood back to try to see what the bigger picture looked like. We asked ourselves the question, ‘where does God want us to be in seven years time?’ Just as we are guided by the picture on the box as we put a jigsaw together, so we tried to see the bigger picture – God’s vision – before we set about trying to decide on the important practical issues which face us today. I would guess there are some of a more practical nature who would have felt somewhat frustrated by the exercise. Some of the issues we have to decide on are urgent, not least the need to replace Diane Wood as leader of the choir. I believe those decisions will be better made, however, now that we have taken time to reflect again on what we are about as a church. PCC meetings are when business decisions should be made. The Vision Day was to help us stand back and take in the wider context in which those decisions have to be made. We summarised our answer to the question, ‘where does God want us to be in seven years time?’ in this way: A community sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in the world A community which is
Services which are
Buildings that are bridges not barriers Three words which seemed to crop up repeatedly in our discussions were community, buildings and service. There was a real desire to be an open and vibrant community which overflowed with the serving love of Christ. It was felt by many that the vision could only be accomplished if there was flexibility, both in our buildings and in the way we do things. As I said in a recent sermon, I have been reminded of a picture someone had when the re-ordering of the sanctuary and chancel was being planned. It was based on Ezekiel Chapter 47. The prophet’s vision was of a trickle of water flowing from the altar of the Temple – a trickle which eventually became a vast river, too deep to paddle in and too wide to cross. Everywhere the river went it brought life and health. The water flowed from the building, but had to leave the building in order to grow. Our worship together is the source of our life – but it would be wrong if we kept that life in the church building and did not take it out from there. Several people have commented to me recently on how many gifted people there are at St Barnabas Church. Everyone who is part of St Barnabas Church family is gifted by God in some way. I do not believe we have been gifted in this way in order to entertain one another, nor to make each other feel good. We are gifted for service. I believe we are poised for a new work of God in and through St Barnabas Church. Pray that we will be faithful to our calling that God may be glorified and his vision for us fulfilled.
Yours in Christ’s love Erik [You will find five A4 sheets on the church notice board which sum up some of the thoughts from the day. No formal decisions were made. It may be that some of the views expressed there are held by only one or two people. Click here if you wish to read these summaries on the web]
Diary Wednesday 30th May Monthly church prayer meeting, 8 p.m. in the narthex Wednesday 6th June Home groups meet Sunday 10th June 10.15 a.m. Confirmation Tuesday 12th June Mission interest group meets 64 Staindrop Drive, 7.30 p.m. All welcome Sunday 17th June 10.15 a.m. Family Parade Service Wednesday 20th June Home groups meet Wednesday 27th June Monthly church prayer meeting, 8 p.m. in the narthex Friday 29th June Lydia group meets, 2 p.m. in the Supper Room Wednesday 4th July Home groups meet Wednesday 18th July Home groups meet Wednesday 25th July Monthly church prayer meeting, 8 p.m. in the narthex Sunday 29th July Summer family service pattern starts
From the Registers Baptisms 29th April Kaleb Edward Alan Jones 20th May Layton Anthony Briggs Caitlynn Jane Briggs Funerals at the Crematorium 20th April Marie Pacey aged 77 19th May Dorothy Ada Linton aged 89 Offerings Offerings in June £16,016 Restricted (for specific purposes) £122 Confirmation Our Confirmation service is on Sunday 10th June at 10.15 a.m. Rt Revd Michael Henshall, former Bishop of Warrington, will be coming to confirm adults and teenagers. Please pray for the candidates as they prepare for Confirmation. At various times in our lives we may experience times of challenge and difficulty, when it is helpful to share with other Christians. At St Barnabas we are beginning two new ministries in this area. The ministry of inner healing may be helpful to those with long-standing issues of hurt and pain. The listening service may help to bring clarity to those wrestling with current or recent concerns or anxieties. If you would like more information about these ministries, speak to one of the clergy. For some people life can seem like a continuous uphill struggle. On the outside they may appear fine to others but on the inside there may be deep hurt and pain. The hurting person may or may not know what the cause of the pain is. It can get in the way of living in the love and grace of God and may feel as though they are carrying a heavy burden around, preventing them from entering fully into the new life Jesus offers. It may be that something has happened recently or in the past, which is just too confusing and painful to deal with. St Barnabas Church is offering a new confidential Ministry of Inner Healing for members of the church. This will be by appointment and will take place on church premises. Two or three sessions lasting about an hour each may be offered, when the person requesting this ministry will meet with two people and receive ministry for Inner Healing, through listening, scripture and prayer. If you think you may benefit from this ministry, please contact Pauline Barwick (Tel: 319486) for further information or to arrange an appointment with two people from this team. People say ‘It’s good to talk’ - but it’s not always easy to find a good listener. At some time most of us feel the need to be listened to in an unhurried way by someone we can trust and who will be confidential and accepting. At times everyone has issues in their life that need ‘telling’ - fears, longings, doubts, anxieties, problems to clarify, decisions to make, losses to grieve over. Good listening can be a greater service than speaking. It can bring release, healing , reconciliation and acceptance. It can help people reach clarity. It can offer space where a person can explore the matters that concern them and find new strength and the way forward. At St Barnabas, starting in July, a group of people trained as Christian listeners will be offering this service to any church member, whether in just a single session (any time up to an hour) or in several sessions. The service is confidential and free. Interested? If you feel this would help you, have a word with one of the clergy or with Kate Morris.
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