| |
|
|
Clergy Letter - January 2012
A new year starting as we mean to go along at St Cross and St Mary’s- at St Mary’s and St Cross! This is our first
joint parish magazine and hopefully will pave the way for lots more joint ventures between our two Anglican churches.
Now first of all to scotch any rumors out there – yes our two Parish church councils are talking and thinking hard about ways
we can join up more effectively for mission in Middleton. But this does not mean that there is any agenda- overt or covert – for
closing either of our church buildings. In fact my hope is that we can rationalize the admin but do even more for God with what
we’ve got- an agenda for growing in depth and in mission.
I believe that we believe that both our churches have got so much to offer the people of Middleton – but we need to let go of
all kinds of administrative burdens that take up our precious time. My hope is that in due course of time (soon!!) we can have
one PCC so that we are not duplicating the admin.
But my biggest hope this year is we can maybe start the year off in the best possible way – by becoming less human doings and more
human beings. So of course we’ll be powering ahead with all kinds of new initiatives. There is going to be at some stage a new alternative
service on Sunday afternoons but I think more than anything we have to kick off the year well not only by supporting the existing and new
services but also by having a BIG PRAY.
So January is going to be a special month when I would like us to focus on spending some extra time in prayer: being rather than doing –
praying especially for one specific intention – asking God’s Holy Spirit to visit us in a special way and give us some clear guidance about
how our mission should take shape this year. I’m going to open up both churches during the day at times to be announced in the pew sheets.
Just for prayer. Just for this specific intention - we’ll have some rotas drawn up so you might be able to commit an hour or two to being a
praying presence there. The important thing to remember is that prayer will be the focus – don’t put your name down if you want to have a
social time or tell people about the history of the church…
Also please don’t forget the Unity Service which this year is going to be at the United Reform Church just off the top of Belle Isle
Road on the Nesfields on Sunday January 22nd 10.30am.
Also please bear with us as we produce this new joint issue of the magazine. There are bound to be teething problems!
Have a very happy and blessed New Year: oh and thanks for being you last year!! Love and prayers - Andy
|
Copyright ©
St Mary's Church, All rights Reserved
|
|
|
