New Term Looming

I don’t want to prematurely draw a curtain on the Summer season, especially not on a Bank Holiday when we’ve actually got some sunshine! But as we approach the start of a new academic year as a church, there are a few new ventures and updates in the pipeline for the Autumn:

• Going online with ‘Church Suite’ - the new tool for some of our Communications and Publicity;

• Refreshing/ Development of our Teams;

• An experimental initiative called ‘Learning Leadership’;

• Our Church Weekend Away.

I’m deliberately not giving details as yet, but keep your eyes open for information on all these things in the coming weeks. In the meantime, enjoy whatever is left of the sunny days.

Jesus said, "I am ..."

In the sixth century St. Gregory composed a commentary on the book of Job and he is famous for saying that “Scripture is like a river . . . broad and deep, shallow enough here for the lamb to go wading, but deep enough there for the elephant to swim.”

As we study the I Am statements of Jesus this summer it astounds me that Jesus was able to use imagery like these to help all of us understand more of who he is, what he is like and why he came to the earth.  There is a broadness and depth that makes it shallow enough for our new believers to wade in but deep enough for our scholars and theologians to swim in.

This morning, I (Amber), will be mentioning how God has been using imagery in The Lion King since I was 9 years old to help me better understand my friend Jesus and help me to understand Scripture more.

Is there any imagery that helps you to understand our Heavenly Father more?

Thank You

In September you will receive a further update about the Sunday morning and mid-week activities available for our children and young people. Very slight changes are being made that will hopefully ensure that these activities best support our children, young people and families.

 Our mid-week group 14+ is set to have the biggest change as it moves from a Thursday to a Tuesday evening. All three of our mid-week groups will then be on the same evening helping the children and young people to transition between the different age groups. This has come after many months of consideration.  

One of the huge disadvantages of this change is that Guy Harris will no longer be able to lead the group. Guy and Rachel initially took on the responsibility of the role two years ago. Over the last year Guy has mentored and supported these young people and has talked openly and passionately about his faith, sharing with them what it means for him in his everyday life. Amber and the young people are going to miss the weekly input, enthusiasm and passion that he has poured into 14+.  

So, a big thank you Guy and Rachel for all you have done for 14+ over the last couple of years.

Wickham Grange

If you haven’t clocked the branding, Wickham Grange is the name of the new collection of town houses and apartments currently being built nearby. In more homely terms, we’ve have the privilege of a new community appearing on our doorstep. We’ve been liaising with Roxanne, the sales representative, and she confirms that it is hoped that the building works will be completed in the next 2-3 months, in readiness for Autumn sales. She has also offered to take people on a tour of one of the houses and site next Sunday after church (11 August). If you are interested, gather together as a group after the morning service and make your way over to the Sales Office.

 In the meantime, we are working together to include a profile of St John’s over there, and discussing ways we can work together to extend a welcome to new home owners.      

Book Recommendation

If you view the Summer as a chance to catch up on some non-work-related reading, then can I add a ‘God book’ to your list of must reads. It’s ‘Dirty Glory’ by the author Pete Greig, champion of the 24-7 Prayer Movement.

 It’s a very accessible follow up to ‘Red Moon Rising’ and continues to chart the 24-7 story, as it has gained momentum across the globe. Full of personal and honest stories, it’s not only a testimony to God’s faithfulness, but an inspiring call to any Jesus follower not to settle for less and coast it in our Christian walk. It’s a big claim, but I am pretty sure that if everyone in the church read this and responded, it would change us dramatically – what we do, and how we do it.  As one of the chapter closes:

 May I have the courage today

To live the life that I would love

And waste my heart on fear no more.

(John O’Donohue)