This is my last newsletter and by this time next week most of
our things will be packed up - thankfully the majority of our
stuff, by the Removals Company- before we go on the boat
on Monday 7th October. I’d like to leave you with some final
thoughts, which I’ll do mainly on Sunday (I’ll email it around in
case any who are away would like to hear!).
So today here’s a picture that possibly means the most to me
from my time at St Francis - the return of café after Covid in
April 2021. It’s a picture that speaks volumes to me about the
St Francis church family:
It speaks of growing together in hard times, of determination
to find ways to be together and to welcome others in, and of
adaptability and creativity. It points to the many, many
volunteers behind the scenes who made it happen, then and
now: all those who volunteer at café, our children and young
people and those who serve them - not to mention the
school (even if they’re not in the picture this time!), those who
have pushed forward with our vision for wholeness and
healing, which often centres gently around café (an offered
prayer, a tissue, a listening ear); also those who keep the
grounds lovely and the building fit for purpose, all those who
approved the endless risk assessments and everyone who
showed up, invited friends and gave church a try.
If someone had asked me what I love most about church in
general, and how we can in a small way reflect God’s
Kingdom, it’s the qualities above that this picture reminds me
of. And so, ‘for this reason, because I have heard of your
faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, I
do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my
prayers... (Ephesians 1:15,16).’