Dear Church Family,

Dear Church Family,

Dear Church Family,

Most of us living in ‘the West’ have similar longings: we want freedom, fairness, and a fruitful, flourishing life. The question is, how are those aspirations going to be fulfilled??

Most assume it is by looking within ourselves. By discovering who we are, and being true to ourselves … by doing what’s right for me … being authentically myself … because I myself am the ultimate authority … following my dream is the right thing to do … the fruitful way to live.

But there are some warning bells – the divorce rate climbs, the birth rate declines; mental health declines, the number of ‘safe spaces’ increases; desire for sexual fullfilment increases, the number of people enjoying sex declines; the egalitarian dream is embraced, the gulf between the sexes and social groups widens; the opportunities to ‘be myself’ multiplies, the confidence in ‘who I am’ declines.

Is our culture really delivering what it promises? Perhaps it is time to ask, is there a better story? In John 10:10 Jesus says:

“I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.’

Anyone who reads a gospel honestly would say that Jesus’ life was fruitful. 

He wasn’t married, but taught that marriage is designed to be for life, and to be honoured by all.

He didn’t have a sexual relationship, but enjoyed a depth of friendship with men and women that was deep and strong.

He had pressure from his family, but protected them and remained true to them to the end.

Perhaps there is a better story? 

If you’re over 16, come along to the Parish Hall at 6.30 this Tuesday 21 September and the following 4 Tuesdays for a light meal and our ‘Better Story’ series from 7.15-8.30pm. There will be life stories, talks, and discussions around the Bible. We’ll be asking if there is a better way to have the fruitful, flourishing lives we all yearn for? 

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church family

Living in love and faith – join the discussion

The Church of England has asked us to discuss marriage and what we think about human sexuality. It probably isn’t your preferred topic and it isn’t mine either. But it is what the media regularly raises and it is what our denomination is asking us to discuss in a project called ‘living in love and faith – LLF for short.

One of the positive things about this is that it gives us an opportunity to think about the important issue of ‘identity.’

We’ve all asked: ‘who am I?’ The question of identity goes to the core of our being. For decades now, artists like Madonna and David Bowie have been ‘reinventing themselves’ in a variety of different identities for different phases of their music. The question ‘who am I?’ no longer has a static answer. For many now, ‘I am whoever I think I am,’ because ‘I am whoever I say I am.’

Last week we saw from Genesis 1:26-27 that God our maker gives us our essential identity as those who are made in his image as male and female. 

But what about those who experience gender dysphoria – the condition of feeling one’s emotional and psychological identity to be at variance with one’s birth sex?

First to say that our hearts go out to people with this experience, it is profoundly unsettling. 

It’s tempting to say that God intended some people to be like this, because he made us all. But it isn’t that simple. Genesis 3 tells us that God’s good creation has been spoiled by sin – Adam and Eve distrusted the Lord, and this attitude has been our default ever since. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23

‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’

The whole creation, starting with us humans, has been distorted by sin and every part of every person is affected, including our sexuality. Gender dysphoria is one of many ways in which our sexuality has been dented. All of us depart from God’s perfect plan and each of us needs to admit this and ask forgiveness and seek help where needed.

The question is where is help to be found? Read the next newsletter to find out. And plan to join the discussion @ ‘a better story’ from 21 September 2021 in the Parish Hall.

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church family,

Last Sunday recorded a number of firsts: it was the first full service to be live streamed in real time from the main Church building – you can join us live at home any Sunday at 10:45 now –  but it’s always best being there in person. And it was the first time we’ve gathered around the Lord’s table this year; and also it was the first time we’ve met around the Lord’s table in the main Church building for 15 years.

Something of the significance of the ‘Lord’s supper’ is summed up in 1 Corinthians 11:26

‘For as often as you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.’

There’s a present, a past, and a future aspect to sharing the bread and wine together:

In the present, the Lord, our host, invites us to come together as His family around His table: ‘for as often as you eat and drink …’. Ours is the joy of knowing that for his own purposes He has chosen to make us His Sons and daughters. In the words of the song: we who were ‘once his enemies, are now seated round His table.’ We look around the table and see our rescued brothers and sisters, our new family, and we rejoice that even death will not separate us.

In the past, our King and elder brother made this meal possible by sacrificing Himself on the cross for us: ‘you proclaim the Lord’s death,’ means that, at this meal, we look back and remember with gratitude and praise, what Jesus has done to make it possible for us to be at this table. We bask in the love that paid the ultimate price to bring us into His family.

In the future, we look forward to the time we’ll be part of the great banquet in heaven: ‘until he comes,’ refers to the glorious return of Jesus as Judge and ruler of this world and the next. At His coming He’ll give those who are at His table a share in His rule, a share in His glory, and a share in His life with the Father. Then we’ll have new bodies, free from suffering and sin and, suitable for heaven.

We plan to celebrate the Lord’s supper on the first Sunday of the month. Do let Ian or Celeste know if you have any suggestions for making this important meal better.

The children and young adults of the Church family can’t join us at the table yet for Covid reasons, but we hope soon that all of the Church family will be able to be with us.

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church Family,

Thy Kingdom Come is a project to encourage us to nine days of prayer from Ascension to Pentecost, (13 – 23 May).

As we emerge from lockdown the need for prayer is greater than ever. I want to invite you, therefore, to join with Christains of all denominations throughout the world to take time to pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ in the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost.

Jesus teaches us as His followers to pray to God as Father 

² He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” (Lk 11:2)

Because Jesus is who he is, not only is he the one who reveals God to us and saves us, he is also the one who tells us to follow him and do as he does.

When we turn to the Gospels, we see that he prayed. He spoke to God as a child to its father: confidently and securely, and yet at the same time reverently and obediently. All who are one with Him share in this Father/ child relationship that Jesus has with God, and can speak to Him as Father.

This year ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ has a local, national and international emphasis:

Locally, to pray for those who have not been able to access the community of faith during these times, and to reach out to them.

Nationally, for those whose health work has been affected by lockdown..

Internationally, for the persecuted Church throughout the world and the challenges that they face.

Good resources are available to help to pray: “Hidden Church” booklets to pray for the persecuted Church; bookmarks with the names of 5 friends/ neighbours to pray for to come to faith; and ‘concertina’ booklets to pray for colleagues at work.

There’ll be a prayer space at the back of the Church building where we can pray on Sundays, and of course we can pray at home, while we’re washing the dishes or going for a walk.

Please pick up the resources on your way out after Church, or from the Church office.

Your brother in Christ,

Ian