Dear friendsI hope this message finds you well as the post-Summer routine settles in. We were pleased to go into Knowle Park School this week to take the monthly assembly, and Phil was reflecting with the children that even back in the Old Testament, God said he was doing new things, through the prophet Isaiah, and there is something about this time of year that feels creative, and suggests "new things". I don't know if this is because we're thinking about our growing seasons, and for some, planting Spring bulbs that have a promise within them of something to come. Maybe its because we're planning Harvest and the celebration of God's creation (October 15th this year, watch this space for more information!). Maybe it's the conversations about new terms at school, a new church year approaching with the start of Advent in a matter of weeks, or just new ideas that people are having about how we might go more deeply into our faith, and connect more deeply with our community. The feedback from the sermon series in the Summer reflected that people enjoyed having a clear theme of worship each week, with opportunities to meet for "more" during the week. This isn't just about a social opportunity, although as we know, church activities always involve some form of fellowship and refreshment! It was about those spaces in which we could go deeper and learn more. Each week, of course, you receive the "Going Deeper" reflection, and I'm grateful for those of you who share that this is helpful; often we send things out assuming that people are using them, but we don't know unless you tell us!One idea we've had, for a new thing, which is in response to a number of people asking about starting a book club, is to have a shared reading experience. As October is Black History Month, we wondered about reading something together which will help us all to grow in our understanding of matters of race, justice, and equality, whatever the colour of our skin. For a while, we have been promoting on email that we might use the book "We need to talk about race" by Ben Lindsay, which is specifically talking about the black religious experience and invites churches to talk more. It's a great book and it would be wonderful to know if there is any interest in sharing this as a reading experience. Do please let me or Phil know so that we can plan more fully.We will be sharing more in the near future about other new things - which for some will be a return to things familiar... a meal for St Martin's Day, a way of being open during the week for lunch and community, Bible study and more.I'm really looking forward to the Unity Singers coming on Saturday evening for their performance - a combination of new and old pieces that (if previous years are anything to go by) will be a treat for the ears! You're invited to come along, with family and friends if you'd like to, there's no entry cost although there is a retiring collection with proceeds shared between St Peters Hospice, and much needed church funds.
In the meantime, whether you feel a stirring of the "new thing" that God might be doing with you, or whether you are longing for some stability after change or disruption, I pray you will know God's presence with you - this is something that is always a constant promise. What is also constant is that we gather each week to worship! This week in our passages, we might hear voices that seem to say "it's not fair" and we're invited to consider more fully what it is to live as people of the kingdom. Phil is preaching at both the 8.30am traditional Holy Communion service, and again at 10.30 for our All Together Communion, where our children and young people are invited to be fully part of the service. It would be wonderful to see you there, you're invited.With every blessing, as everRev Becky Waring