God’s invitation
A few Sundays ago I was privileged to join the main service at St Paul’s in Leamington. It was wonderfully uplifting to see so many people coming together to worship God in a mixture of song and prayer. The bible reading was Luke 14: 15-24 with its clear message, through the parable of the great supper, of God’s invitation to join him in His kingdom. It made me joyfully reflect on all the good work across the diocese, led by our clergy and lay leaders who are inviting people to join us and grow our worshipping communities in whatever shape or size that fits, including for example chocolate church, breakfast church or messy church. St Paul’s is, of course, a Mission Hub church which is supporting other churches to help with this invitation as are the Mission & Discipleship Team in the diocesan offices. You can read more about our mission hubs on our website.
Vacancy in See
We continue to pray for Bishop Christopher and his family as they move to Windsor. We also pray for those on the Vacancy in See Committee; asking God to lead them and give them wisdom as they discern the needs of the diocese and the qualities we are seeking in our next Bishop. If you would like more information visit the Vacancy in See Committee pages on our website. There will be opportunities to engage in the process, including a poll asking for your thoughts on challenges and opportunities faced by your communities and the gifts you are seeking in a Bishop to lead us through these; and then early in the new year there will be a consultation exercise led by the Archbishop’s and Prime Minister’s Appointment Secretaries. This will also be a prayerful process and if you wish to contribute a prayer please email the committee.
Saluting our Sisters
October is Black History Month – a time when churches can reflect on the contribution UKME/GMH people have made to our journey in faith. The theme this year is Saluting our Sisters and ideas for celebrations that you can organise include inviting diverse music into worship and offering UKME/GMH people to lead in prayer, read scripture or share testimonies. Please visit our webpages for more information on events happening across the diocese, for example the display at All Saints Leamington, and the liturgical resources that are available.
Thank you for all that you are doing across this wonderful diocese.
I would like to end by sharing with you this beautiful blessing that sent us out of the service at St Paul’s when I visited.
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace
Numbers 6:24-26
