Today we welcome Michael Burke to share with us about the work of Anglicare, which we have been supporting for many years. At the 9.30 am service, children and youth will head off to Sunday School and youth Bible study after Michael has presented. There is also a creche in the Parish Room for babies and toddlers.
For no particular reason, let me share a vaguely Christian-themed rhyme by Bp. Samuel Wilberforce, which I stumbled across this week:
If I were a cassowary
On the plains of Timbuctoo
I would eat a missionary
Cassock, bands and hymn book too.
I hope it gave you a chuckle!
The Parish Council has been engaged in a strategy development process with the help of a consultant. We have met for two workshops. Keeping in mind our vision to Fill the Church with disciples of Jesus, we have identified three focus areas: (i) Pastoral care of our existing members; (ii) Welcoming and integration of new members; (iii) Reaching young families, children and youth. The next steps from these are that we hope to form a pastoral care working group, and to run some focus groups in which young people (churched and unchurched) will help us understand what is going to be most helpful for reaching them with the gospel. I am going to say more about all of this at our Annual Vestry Meeting next Sunday, 11.30 am.
In brief:
- We are making some temporary changes because of the Coronavirus threat. See over.
- It has been great to see so many volumes purchased from our prayer-themed book stall. However there are more available. Please check it out in the Parish Room.
- Don’t forget two big events on Sunday 22nd: the Playground Dedication, 11.00 am, and Choral Evensong, 4.30 pm.