Chaplain’s Message
God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age: as we rejoice in the faith of your saints, inspire us to follow their example with boldness and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Collect for All Saints Day, Common Worship)
Boldness and joy. It does seem as though church life is starting to blossom and even to bear fruit. This week-end we are very pleased to present to our Diocesan Bishop six adult candidates for Confirmation, and four seasoned and dedicated Congregational Worship Leaders for commissioning. We are also pleased to announce a re-launch of Junior Church to run alongside the 11:00 service, welcoming youngsters from 4 to 12 for kid-sized worship, bible stories, and themed activities in the Hall. This will begin the following week, on November 6. These signs of enriched church life are emblematic of the boldness and joy we pray for.
The re-launch of regular weekly collections for the Food Bank also demonstrates that our concern and our hope is not only for ourselves, but for all our neighbours around us, especially those in need.
Our Book Fair the following Saturday, as always, is a great opportunity to reach out to the neighbourhood and the city. Boxes of books may be heavy, but the mood is light and friendly, especially if we have ‘many hands’. So do take up the opportunity to join in the project.
With All Saints Day, we also turn our thoughts towards those whom we have lost, especially in the past year. On Wednesday 2nd November, at the mid-day Holy Communion (11:30am) we will be commemorating All Souls, praying for all those who have been bereaved in the last year and giving thanks for the lives of the departed, including Bob Zabel whose funeral was held today. If you are able to join us that would be lovely.
From generation to generation, faith in God’s love is grown and known and shown in this place. And so we do pray that God continues to inspire us by the example of those who have gone before, to live our common life in boldness and joy.
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