John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”. I was recently listening to a podcast by Simon Sineck who wrote the book ‘Start With Why.’ His premise is that our first motivation for life and work should be our ‘why’ and not just what we do – our ‘what’. It got me thinking about the ‘Why’ of my work and life and this is what I wrote in my journal. “To enable people (especially leaders) to flourish and to minister out of a deep relationship with Jesus. To invite people to have abundant life in Jesus by being the person and doing the things that God has called them to be.” I feel very privileged that this aligns my role as a Mission Enabler – Evangelism; to enable leaders and parishes to discern what God is saying to them and journeying with them as they seek to prioritise the things God has called them to do in sharing and living out the good news of Jesus Christ by Transforming Church and Transforming Lives. I would encourage you to spend a moment reflecting on the ‘why’ of your life and work. Maybe there is a verse of scripture that encapsulates your why? Finally, we welcomed a new puppy into our family a few weeks ago – so I’d like to introduce you to Gibson! I think his ‘why’ is food and fun!
We hope you're enjoying the wonderful weather this weekend. We also hope you'll find time to join us at Dunsfold Church tomorrow at 10 am for our joint Holy Communion service.If you can't be with us in person you can join us remotely by clicking on the Zoom link below. The link should take you straight to the service but you will also see below the log on details if required.We really do appreciate the number of people who are joining our services from home, hospital and sometimes further afield. You are very welcome.https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2746581498?pwd=WjlIcHBydjdOOEEzZ2tBVDNyMFBaZz09Meeting ID: 274 658 1498 Passcode: 7C7La6And to help those joining us via WiFi you'll find attached an order of service for tomorrow, Trinity Sunday.
"Here I am. Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)As followers of Jesus, we all have a vocation to discipleship first and foremost with some feeling an added sense of calling to a particular ministerial role. When I look back on the situations or activities that have fuelled me in the past such as teaching in one of the largest all-girls schools in Europe and Guiding UK, I realise I have always had a passion for women’s empowerment.I have been Diocesan Advisor for Women’s Ministry (DAWM) for several years now and frequently feel inadequate or insufficient in the role. Yet, like Isaiah, God touches my sense of unworthiness with cleansing words of assurance and sends me to ‘Go tell His people’.As DAWM I represent Guildford Diocese at a national level communicating relevant outcomes to the Director of Ministry. The National Association of Diocesan Advisors for Women’s Ministry (NADAWM) aims to be a resource to the Church of England. We advise and support the National Church, our Diocesan Senior Staff, and women in ministry on a range of issues, as we all work together to make the Church of England a place where women and men can flourish in their calling. NADAWM seeks to EQUIP, EVALUATE and ENGAGE.Consequently, I try to keep abreast of national and regional research and developments in relation to the ministry of ordained women alongside any specific training needs. I welcome the opportunity to listen to women’s stories and come alongside any who are struggling or in need of mentoring. I am fortunate that relatively few women contact me but maybe they are not aware I am here? Please feel free to contact me and I shall continue to be an advocate for women in our Diocese for as long as God calls, and Bishop Andrew requires me to.Reverend Rosemary Donovan, Vicar of Christ Church, Epsom.
