Rev'd Mark Carey writes....

I found myself in a crowd today for the first time in over a year. It felt strange and made me feel slightly insecure. I was surprised by my reaction – but maybe I shouldn’t be. Our gradual emergence from a pandemic will not straightforward and we will feel a mixture of feelings and responses. Maybe this is why I’ve been constantly reminded of the Stephen Covey quote “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”. Amongst all the distractions, preoccupying thoughts, fears and emotional responses the first disciples found themselves reoriented to the main thing by the resurrected Jesus. For followers of Jesus the main thing is always Jesus - keeping focussed on him is vital at this time.

I’m encouraging leaders and team members across the network to register for and participate in the morning I am hosting with Andy Hall and Rob Parker on Saturday 24th April. Called Emergence: what is God saying? It is an opportunity to have a reflective process as we seek to emerge with fresh vision and eyes fixed on Jesus. To book your place email office@ccbn.org.uk and nearer the time you will receive the zoom link.

We are very sad to hear of the death of Lesley Gaines. Lesley brought her warm and caring personality to bear in lots of our lives and will be greatly missed by her family, church family and friends. More news to follow of the date and time of the funeral service.

We welcome a new church warden, Penny Clarke, for Christ Church to serve alongside Keith Gibbons. I’m pleased that Chaz Walker and Emma Miles are serving for a further year as Wardens of Bessingby.

Thank you to all who are serving in official and unofficial ways across the Network.

Easter 2021

This Easter is a little different from last year. Do you remember? We were completely locked down – only able to go out for up to an hour for exercise and shop for essentials.

This year we are still restricted but to a much lesser extent. We are, however, tired of the constant uncertainties of restrictions, of careful behaviour around others and really missing the person-to-person contact that is so important to human beings.

So in this time of restrictions lifting but not gone, of being tired of the pandemic and desiring the things we are missing. In this time of small steps of emerging from the worst of a pandemic can I encourage you to REMEMBER.

REMEMBER how far you have come and what you have learned. REMEMBER the help you have received from God and others that has got you so far. REMEMBER that the resurrection of Jesus means that the worst thing is never the last thing – Jesus in his resurrection power will be leading us through this next season.

Happy Easter! Jesus is Risen!

Time To Talk Team

This past year has been a very long and stressful time leaving many of us, feeling confused, anxious and overwhelmed.

For some of us this year may also have highlighted long standing issues.

Having someone to talk to often helps.

We would like to offer you a safe, confidential space to be listened to, giving you time to express the things that are concerning you.

At the moment this would be arranged on (a one off basis ) using Zoom or by a telephone call.

In the first instance please contact the Church Office by telephone or e-mail, and one of the team will contact you to arrange the details.

CCBN Network Office : - 01262 404100

CCBN Network Office E-mail : - office@ccbn.org.uk