A Weekly Message during Lockdown – this week from St Peter’s Churchwarden, Hazel Wilmshurst
Click here to read this week’s Noticesheet
Hello from Hazel š
Radiators!
Guess what? Yes these last few weeks Iāve been thinking a lot about radiators! In the winter weather āļø I am such a ācold bodā and am so grateful at home when the radiators came on, and I can finally warm up! I thank God that we can afford to heat our home, something I know I often take for granted. Anyway Iāve never forgotten a friend telling me she was challenged in her church, as to whether she was a radiator, or a drain? What effect did she have on others? Were they warmed up by having contact with her or did they feel drained?
Iāve never forgotten that analogy and I am chuffed to bits to tell you Iāve met a lot of radiators in our church family. For example recently I attended an online Pastoral team session. These folk – Keith, Sue, Julie, Karen & Andy are radiators, keeping in touch with isolated and vulnerable church family members. Keith wisely pointed out that thereās also a lot of caring going on behind the scenes in our church. Thatās humbling. So I just want to encourage you to keep close to your church family in whatever way you can. Hebrews 10 v 24-5 (the Message), reminds us, ālet us see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshipping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.ā We all need encouragement, especially in these difficult times. Do you sometimes get a random name that just āpopsā into your head? Follow that up – it could be the Holy Spirit prompting you that someone needs a bit of encouragement. Keep on radiating Godās love to each other.
Creative church car park!
Weāve had some really interesting things going on in our car park these last few months, ranging from the Flowers of Hope display, the Jesse Tree, the Nativity stars on Christmas trees and of course, Carol singing. These have certainly attracted local passers-by and that has got us thinking. Weāre hoping to build on these events as a bridge to our local community.
With that in mind, weāre looking for more creative ideas to make our car park attractive while promoting the Christian message. Have you any thoughts/ideas of how we can do this? Possible resources are using the large notice board & a possible banner for the railings.
Also, Mike and the 2 Martins have already begun clearing the ivy from the car park wall, but if you have green fingers – or are just good at a bit of pruning and chopping! – your help and expertise would be much appreciated with the upkeep of our church grounds.
Please let one of the staff team know if you can help with either of these.
Thatās it for now. God Bless
Hazel
A prayer for this week:
Merciful God, hear our prayer for all who suffer from the coronavirus.
May those who are infected receive the proper treatment
and the comfort of your healing presence.
May their caregivers, families and neighbours be shielded
from the onslaught of the virus.
Give solace to those who grieve the loss of loved ones.
Protect and guide those who strive to find a cure,
that their work may conquer the disease and restore communities to wholeness and health.
Help us to rise above fear. We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
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