Mark Carey writes
We read Psalm 46:1-7 during prayers this morning – do remember you can join in at 8.30-9am every Monday to Friday via Zoom or in-person at the Key Centre.
Words from this Psalm were displayed outside Christ Church throughout the most part of the lockdowns and restrictions of 2020/21. They were reminder words that God is our refuge and strength – a very present help in times of trouble. They remain good words for us still – the uproar amongst the nations eg Ukraine, the trouble close to us as we feel the effect of cost of living crisis and many individual experiences of trouble and difficulties. God is in the midst – he is within – God will help. So often we look for external things to help us – when actually it is the external where all the trouble and turmoil is. The Psalm reminds us that God is within us, his help is as close as close could be – in him is all we need. When we see the limits, less and loss of these times we are reminded to see that God is refuge, helper and He lifts his voice. Let’s listen.
Some specific areas for prayer:
Giving: please give in a planned way to the mission and ministry of Christ Church and all our Network Churches. Thank you for your generosity, however, we are finding it very difficult to fund our ministry and pay our utility bills etc at present. Please pray for a release of financial resources and consider raising your giving or starting to give.
Restore: for an increase in donations and funding.
Leaders: many of our key leaders are feeling the strain and effects of having led through some very difficult times.
Miriam Thurlow and Darius Traves: as they head towards ordination in June.
Oli Preston: as a new network church begins, under his leadership, called ‘Branches’.
Morning Prayer 8.30am-9am
Monday-Thursday in the Key Centre
Monday to Friday on Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/96391898886?pwd=NTlHcm12eGl2TXBMODA5eDJacmpVUT09
Meeting ID: 963 9189 8886
Passcode: 1234
Wednesday Evening Worship & Prayer continues - 7pm Christ Church
Mark Carey writes
Thanks for everyone who joined in with the annual meetings we held for our two parishes. Many people, understandably, just think of the one place they belong and have a vague sense of there being more groups, churches and areas of ministry. We choose to see ourselves as a network that allows many people to belong in different ways and we keep ourselves accountable through things like annual meetings and church councils.
I like the idea of being able to belong at different levels and in different ways. It is impossible for us to be able to engage with everything everywhere – so we need to be able to identify where and with whom we most find that sense of belonging in relation to Jesus and others. This is where we get the idea of PeaPods from – people and places of discipleship. We are a network of spaces and places of belonging and there is room for more! Let’s pray for more!
On Saturday 14th we are hosting a ‘Hear and Encounter Day’ – an opportunity to hear the voice of God afresh. Do book in. Details below.
"The times we are in are much more to do with what’s new than what’s next. There are new challenges, opportunities and events that we are having to engage with. Hearing God afresh in this new era and encountering him in a new way is crucial for us to see the kingdom come.
Maybe you’ve never heard God speak or encountered his presence. Perhaps you feel like you're at square one in this, or even you have long-term experience in hearing God and encountering him – wherever you're at we can guarantee that there will be something new for you on this day. Come and join in".
Speakers
Bishop Enrique R. Aguilar // Andy Hall // Steve Weatherill // Tracey Mundie
Hosted by
Mark Carey and Rob Parker
Worship
Julie Cameron-Hall & Nigel Cameron (Celtish). Richard & Chloe Fuller
Registration for “Hear & Encounter” is free.
A collection will be taken to cover costs
(suggested donation £10 per adult)
To register go to
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hear-and-encounter-tickets-310474586847
or email
office@ccbn.org.uk
Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2020/21 Vicar’s Report
Dear Christ Church Network.
It is annual meeting time – after two years of online meetings we can return to doing such things in-person.
I want to highlight some key things. However, let me first thank those who have served on our two Church Councils – Bessingby and Christ Church. Thanks also to our Wardens, Emma Miles and Chaz Walker for Bessingby, and Keith Gibbons and Penny Clarke for Christ Church. Chaz is stepping down this year to focus on a new role as ‘Prayer Champion’ – calling us all to the ministry of prayer and intercession. Thank you, Chaz, for serving so faithfully.
Ken and Maureen Reynard stepped down from their leadership role in Martongate Community Church and a team has taken over to continue to develop this part of the Network. Thank you, Ken and Maureen. St Mark’s Westhill has begun to explore what next as Val Taylor steps down from her Network Leader role shortly. Thank you Val. Overall across the network churches there is an encouraging sense of faith-development in a continued time of uncertainty.
The last year has been shaped by continued response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. It has been a year of returning to corporate in-person worship and adjusting through the lifting of restrictions. It has been a year of gradual adaptation to a context that is continually affected by limits, less and loss. This will be ongoing, because the pandemic is not over yet. The cost- of living crisis, now worsened through war in Ukraine, will continue to mean we have to work out new ways of responding to the challenge of how to ‘live the gospel’ in times like this.
I can’t possibly thank everyone by name. We are blessed across our network to have many leaders and volunteer teams. But special thanks to our network church leaders and teams, and to our paid and volunteer staff. To those who occupy senior leadership roles around me. For the teams who focus in on particular areas – Café, Restore, Restore Hope Hub, CCB Site, Administration and Key Centre, Worship and preaching, Morning Prayer, Families and Children, Tech and hospitality, Discipleship and Alpha.
We have added a Café Manager role, Suzanne Martin, and also clarified the role of Toni Miles as Restore Team Leader. Both are part-time and the plan is that they would be self-sustaining roles – though for Restore we recognize this will be a significant challenge given the demands. Emma Miles has continued to serve across both Bessingby and Christ Church in a planting and community development role.
Miriam Thurlow has joined us as Curate, and Darius Traves on a contextual ordination training placement. Oli Preston has continued to develop the Multiply role of planting church with 20s-40s in mind. During the course of the year Rev Ray Yates and Rev David Phillips have joined our clergy team to serve alongside Revs Margaret and Steve Dye, Rev Michael Chaffey and Rev Dave Chislett.
The PCCs have contributed to the York Diocese Living Christ’s Story initiative to enable local C of E churches in their Deaneries to plan for a future that is defined by being missionary disciples of Christ. Both PCCs have also given the go-ahead for formal discussions and planning regarding becoming a Joint Council across the two parishes and the various churches. As Vicar I am taking a full part in the Deanery Leadership team, serving on the Diocesan Synod and am currently on the advisory panel for the appointment of the new Bishop of Hull. I have also accepted the invitation to serve on the council of reference for the St Hild College of Church Planting. I try to balance these external responsibilities with being around the Christ Church site regularly and supporting the ‘senior’ leadership team in their areas of leadership.
You may be asking ‘what next?’ You will have heard me reframing that to the question ‘what’s new?’ There is no going back. Look at the world around us – it seems familiar and yet there is so much change and uncertainty. I’m seeking to take on the discipline of asking ‘what’s new?’
We are called to be people who ‘live the gospel’ – that is, being good news people in a culture that is very different to the one many of us have grown up in. We have a fantastic opportunity to serve the health and well-being of our communities – but we do it with the humility of acknowledging the reality of less, limits and loss.
We worship and serve with a Lord who is limitless, generous and gracious and who calls us to trust him and his provision. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of developing leaders, gathering disciples and adapting our organization and structure to meet the challenges of this time. Please don’t underestimate how important your faithful and disciplined giving is: both financially and in time and energy.
I find being your Vicar a great privilege and responsibility – thank you for the ongoing support and encouragement. I don’t always find it easy to know how to lead, especially in these uncertain times, and I know I don’t get everything right – thanks for your forgiveness and patience!
Mark Carey writes
Keep an eye on wisdom
We’ve been having problems with the broadband connection on the Christ Church site this week. It is frustrating when this happens and makes you appreciate having a staff member who can work on such things, Thank you, Paul Crabtree. There seem to be a lot of things to be frustrated about. Covid is still very disruptive and frustrating causing the production of From Pharoah to Freedom to be postponed. Those of you suffering from Covid will be feeling frustrated as well as unwell.
Someone once encouraged me to “receive frustration as a gift”. My interpretation of this is that when I am feeling frustrated, I must ask and answer the two discipleship questions: What is God saying? What am I going to do about it? Otherwise, what I do is respond in ways that aren’t healthy. As those who were able to be in-person on Sunday evening I briefly shared about my visit to the dentist - they pointed out that hidden in the gum at the back of my jaw is a wisdom tooth - she said “we are going to keep an eye on that”. What struck me is what she said: “We are going to keep any eye on that”. Let’s keep an eye on ‘wisdom’ especially at this time - God has all the wisdom we need.
To help you activate faith in relation to wisdom I suggest you read, meditate on and pray through Solomon's dream in 1 Kings 3:6-15.
Do remember that Michael Hart's funeral is being held on Tuesday 5th April 1pm in Christ Church. It will not be live-streamed.
On Easter Sunday morning the 10.30 gathering will have an opportunity for baptism and recommitment to Jesus. Some people are already preparing for this - if you want to join in then please get in touch with the network office
Mark Carey writes
Housekeeping. Part of human life is housekeeping. I have a brother and two sisters – in our family home we had our roles and responsibilities- things we did that helped us all live well together. Things that meant the guest was always welcome and that the responsibility to do practical things didn't fall on one person. Things that meant our living environment served a way of life that honoured God’s call to serve him, sharing faith with others. I say this now with the benefit of hindsight because as a teenager I hated the housekeeping things! Looking back – I learned some disciplines that have served me well in adult life and taught me much about living as a disciple. Just look at the amount of times the disciples ended up doing housekeeping tasks! I’m reminded of Jesus’s words ‘the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve….”
What has this got to do with anything? Well – I guess I want to remind us that this is the way we seek to live across this Network. We are a number of different households, and one household – together we get to be able to ensure that our life, together, is safe, healthy, welcoming and faith sharing whichever part of the network we identify with.
We take on the disciplines of this – serving each other but as family, household. You will see below some information about giving – households can’t run well without financial resources. We have continued to experience God’s financial care and provision through the generosity of many of you. But not all are contributing on this level – please think and pray on this – even a little helps to serve our shared mission.
Soon you will be hearing about annual meetings and roles that help our shared life together. Please consider your part in this and whether you can offer support. You might be able to serve as one of our Trustees on our church councils, or in some other capacity. I’m currently looking for someone to take on a secretarial role for one of our church councils – involving minute-taking and helping with communication. Can you help?
Update
Chaz Walker has accepted my invitation to take a lead role in championing prayer – the way God has been working in his life points towards serving in this way alongside his role with St Andrew’s, Ulrome with Margaret.
Darius Traves has been with us training for ordination and his training will continue as Assistant Curate licensed to this network and also serving during the week as one of the chaplains to the University of York, St John. He will be especially involved at St Mark’s, Westhill – not as Vicar but rather serving as a member of clergy to help the congregation grow and develop.
Rev. Mark Carey. Christ Church Bridlington Network.
Giving
Thank you for your generosity. Your giving really does make a difference, it funds everything that we do, from supporting Re-store & our work in the community to children & families work & keeping the buildings warm & welcoming.
Important notice for all –
Weekly giving envelopes – although we are not supplying new dated envelopes, we do have previous years envelopes spare, if you still wish to use this means of giving. Please contact Tracey Matravers or Keith Gibbons (email: finance@ccbn.org.uk)
Gift Aid - If any of your details have changed in the last 2 years, please could you complete a new Gift Aid Declaration Form (to comply with HMRC regulations). These are available at the back of church or from the finance office. If your tax status has changed & you no longer pay income tax, please let the finance office know, so we can amend our records.
Other ways of giving
· Standing Order – Forms are available at the back of church, from finance office or on the website.
· QR Code – Posted around church (scan & donate from your phone)
· Donate button on the website.
· Cash in collection plate/bucket
· Cheque: Please make payable to - Christ Church Bridlington PCC
· Soon to come….Contactless card payment point.
If you are eligible to Gift Aid your donation, that really does make a difference. For every £10 you give we can claim back £2.50 from the Government.
Sad news to share.
After a long illness Michael Hart died peacefully on Saturday 19th March.
Michael has been a key leader in Christ Church for many years - a man of prayer, great integrity - his faith influenced many others.
There is no further information yet - please do not to call round or ring Polly for the time being so she and the family can have some space. Let us all hold Polly and the family in our prayers.
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
Mark Carey writes
Be like Habakkuk
There once was a man with a strange name - Habakkuk. Next to nothing is known about him - the book of the Bible bearing his name only reveals his interaction with God way back around 612 BC. His words, however, have great resonance for us right now.
Because he asked ‘Why?’ Why did this powerful Babylonian empire seem to get away with terrible things even against God's own people? How could God allow such suffering? He protested at profound injustice - and he didn't much like the responses he received. Yet he held the strong belief that God would go about His sovereign work… that God would save.
Near the end of the book he says the following
"I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us."
The message of Habakkuk is that God knows what He is doing - He can be trusted - even when great catastrophe is being visited upon innocents. Despite his whole body showed the symptoms of trauma, anxiety and fear Habakkuk could still say "Yet I will wait patiently..." - he focusses his attention on trusting his Lord because he knows God is…. a God who acts.
With our awareness of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the great threat to global security - let us wait upon God - for the day of calamity to come upon the invading nation. Let us repent of our complacency that has led the nations into such a terrible time and let's pray for our national leaders, international diplomacy, and the people of Ukraine as they fight and flee the aggressor.
Habakkuk goes on to say, "yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour."
So, what do we do at this time?
Wait patiently and rejoice!
This is simple, yet at the same time hard to do. But if Habakkuk could do it….. so can we!
Rev. Mark Carey. Christ Church Bridlington Network.
Mark Carey writes
The way we love the Jesus Way across our network is best described through three things: daily encounter, defined belonging and purposeful service. We expect to encounter God every day of our lives, we have people and places of discipleship that help us live in the way of Jesus. We are purposeful in serving others like Jesus did.
I simply want to keep encouraging you to live in this way - we have loads of ways this is worked out across our fantastic network of churches and ministry areas, workplaces and other areas of life - the Jesus Way.
In an uncertain world of virus and war, the way we live the gospel is indeed Good News. As Bishop Graham Cray said to us last Sunday "Jesus is here in Bridlington and He isn't here for a rest!"
Ukraine Appeal
We are partnering with Jacob’s Well (A Christian organisation based in Beverley) to send out a large van next week (Monday 14th March) to Moldova to help with feeding and clothing the Ukrainian Refugees.
Here are the details of how to support this appeal - We are looking for both donations of items and donations of money to cover the cost of the transport
Mark Carey writes
The season of Lent has started. Across our network it is observed in different ways - as a time of self-discipline and repentance regarding our relationship with God. Maybe as a time to refresh intimacy with God. Perhaps as a way of preparing for being able to celebrate Easter wholeheartedly. There are practices associated with Lent that can be helpful - reading a particular book - you can pick one of those up from the network office.
Some people choose to fast during lent - a practice I recommend- you may find fasting a little mysterious so this link may help
https://gravityleadership.com/how-to-fast-for-lent/
During Lent I am going to be focussing on what God is teaching me about living the Jesus way of life through Daily Encounter, Defined Belonging and Purposeful Service.
I’d like to grow more in these ways and will use the following questions to help me explore this further.
Daily Encounter - Who is my god?
Defined Belonging - Where are my people?
Purposeful Service - What is my calling?
There are many ways to draw the best out of Lent including our Household Habits and the Week of Pilgrimage and Prayer.
Mark Carey writes
Sometimes I find it hard to express things - I was puzzling over what I could say this week that somehow illuminates what is going on amongst us at the moment what God is doing and saying? I decided I had to take my time and, as I was beginning to wake up one morning, I found myself thinking about worship, as I went downstairs my eyes settled on a book about Jesus and I knew that rather than trying to explain things I just needed to remind you all that it's all about Jesus. Even as tanks roll into the Ukraine, as the cost of living rises, as the least, last and the lost become even more so - it's all about Jesus. We worship Jesus - He is Lord. Someone once said that "true worship exposes spiritual complacency in a world of suffering and injustice" - this chimes with something a number of people noted as we worshipped and prayed on Wednesday evening - we must avoid complacency, and worship enables us to do this - eyes fixed on Jesus. What does this look like in our lives? Worship is nothing less than offering our whole world back to God - it is such an important thing to keep being aware of: Jesus - his way, his centrality. Let's offer our whole world back to God.
Finally, here is another thing about worship that is worth remembering: "you'll be bored to tears in heaven, if you are not ecstatic about God now!" (Keith Green)
If you want help to pray for the situation there are some really helpful prayers including the following from 24-7 Prayer:
A Prayer for the Crisis in Ukraine
by Pete Greig
Father God, King of all nations, we cry out to you now for the people of Ukraine. We ask you to rescue those who are vulnerable from the hands of their enemies that they may live without fear before you all their days [Luke 1:74-75].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Lord of lords and Prince of peace, our politicians are predicting the biggest war in Europe since 1945, and we simply cry out to you urgently to write another story in our time. Thwart the dark machinations of evil men. Give wisdom beyond human wisdom to peacemakers seeking an equitable and less violent way. May politicians exercise the wisdom from above, which is peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy [James 3:17].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Holy Spirit, we pray for the church in Ukraine, a nation in which 70% of the population call themselves Christian. Give our many brothers and sisters in that nation courage in this crisis that they may proclaim the good news of your kingdom, bind up broken hearts, and bring comfort to all who mourn. [Isaiah 61:1-2].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
You Lord, make wars cease to the end of the earth; you break bows, shatter spears, and burn shields with fire [Psalm 46:9]. And so we ask you now to save the lives of many people in Ukraine. Make a peace that is strong and not weak. De-escalate this crisis. We hear of wars and rumours of wars (Matt. 24:6],
but you Lord are our rock, our fortress and our deliverer. Our hope is in you. And so we address the nations now. In the name of Jesus we say: “Be still and know God! He is exalted among the nations; he shall be exalted in the earth [Psalm 46:10].
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace. Amen
Mark Carey writes
I am really appreciating the worship and prayer evenings we have held since the start of the year. I'm a veteran of many prayer meetings and to tell the truth - I have fallen asleep in more than a few of them! The ones I find I have engaged with are those that come from the place of worship - the place of praise and intimacy with God.
Praying is important - A.W.Tozer said,
"I remind you that there are churches so completely out of the hands of God that if the Holy Spirit withdrew from them, they wouldn't find it out for many months"
We don't want to be a church of churches that is out of the hands of God.
This week one of the things we were encouraged to be is like the desert seeds that when the long-awaited rain comes, quickly burst into glorious life. We are invited to be those who are prepared to burst into life at the first movement of the Holy Spirit, who are immediately responsive and have expectant hearts and minds. We have been seeing evidence of God’s work and presence amongst us as we gather across the network. I believe God is calling us to an increased responsiveness to him. Personally, I have a sense of urgency about being 'near the front' in terms of expectation and responsiveness. This doesn't mean we all have to start leaping around being loud and visible! It probably does mean we should examine our responsiveness to God - are we open immediately to him when we gather to worship or take quiet time alone with Him?
John Wimber said,
"Much of our trouble in the church today relates directly to our lack of heavenly mindedness"
Let's choose to be heavenly minded.
Rev. Mark Carey. Christ Church Bridlington Network.
Show The Love
The Eco Church team invite you to join them to 'show the love' this February. We are getting behind a national campaign from the Climate Coalition (bit group of charities including Tearfund and Christian Aid) - sending green hearts to our MPs as a way to share with them what we love and want to protect about creation. What is God putting on your heart?
We’ve made up some envelopes ready (will be available at all our worship gatherings), or you can do your own - make and decorate a green heart, fill in the simple postcard sheet, and pop it in the post to your MP! Oli has made a short video to explain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9vk9sMuRPA You can read more about Climate Coalition and sending green hearts (including downloading the printable sheet if you would like to do it yourself) here: https://www.theclimatecoalition.org Tearfund have got some great resources for learning about, praying for and acting on climate change here: https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/climate-campaign Eco Church is part of A Rocha UK: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk
Mark Carey writes
There is a lot happening! I'm thrilled to see new windows going into St Mark's Westhill and the large trees that obscured the view of St Andrew's Ulrome coming down - maybe these things say something about the growing visibility of the good news of Jesus in our network locations? It's great to be amongst people who are praying and worshipping passionately in various contexts across the network. Watching people taking steps of faith at ReStore and Love Westhill or being lovingly cared for and served in the Cafe. The creativity of Refresh and Creative Space, the pastoral care that ranges from prophetic listening through chaplaincy, 12 steps and Womens weekly is so good. The routines and rhythms of the Key Centre and site teams are energising and encouraging. I'm aware of much, much more happening as we all seek to serve God's mission in our different day-to-day contexts.
There are lots of opportunities coming up - a teaching day on Saturday 19th February with Andy Hall. Continued prayer and worship evenings plus daytime Alpha and a family fun day on 5th March. We are gathering today at 11am to celebrate the life of Michael Green.
We are an active church of churches; we want to be known for our activity serving the health and well-being of our communities. However, it is best to be known for our relationship with Jesus. He's the reason we exist as worshipping communities - all our activity and service is meaningless unless it is inspired by Jesus and centred on a common cause - that Jesus would be known and worshipped as Lord. As Jesus himself says "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." Be encouraged and be challenged!
Mark Carey writes
I am hopeful that we will be able to move further away from Covid restricted behaviours during the coming months. Our basic policy for the time being will continue to be focussed around the following areas across the network:
Lateral Flow Tests: Encourage everyone to take lateral flow tests regularly and especially if you are likely to amongst a larger group of people or mingling closely with others
Face coverings: Wear a mask when you are amongst others at close quarters and when singing. When seated in a service it is okay to remove your mask
Designated area: Retain the provision of an area in Christ Church for those most vulnerable
Space: Continue to provide ways to gather whilst also having space
Ventilation: Make sure the buildings and rooms we use across the network are well ventilated
I am very thankful that our teams, ministry leaders and volunteers are making sure they test regularly.
As we rebuild and develop with our backs to the worst of the pandemic could I encourage you to find opportunities to serve. We are aiming to grow our work amongst children - could you contribute to this? Maybe you have some administrative skills or want to serve in one of our existing volunteer teams - it would be great to hear from you. Perhaps you have a sense of something God is calling you to start - do follow through.
I heard someone say this recently: "much of what we had pre-Covid-19 we will never see again. We are not moving to the NEXT but the NEW. It is not a continuation of how things were, but the start of a whole new reality". I find the distinction between NEXT and NEW helpful - let's choose not to ask, "what is next?" but rather "what is new?" Maybe even - "what is the NEW thing God wants me to be involved in?"
Mark Carey writes
Covid-19 what now?
As restrictions lift nationally the focus becomes even more on our individual and corporate responses.
In the New Testament letters there are times when attention is paid to how to live together - this is what I want us to bear in mind as the restrictions lift. We have lots happening across our network- small groups, services and gatherings of different types and sizes - how we behave continues to be vital. Covid-19 will, we hope, become an endemic virus a bit like the flu but we still have some way to go – currently I am reflecting on the advice to give for our network regarding the next phase of life together. I will communicate with you all during the coming week.
Let’s remember that we are to live in faith and not fear - don’t let fear of catching Covid stop you from doing what God is calling you to be involved in. I’m reminded of St Paul’s words in his letter to the Galatian church: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Fear can become a yoke of slavery - Jesus is all about freedom!
Mark Carey writes
Success
One of the things I have done this week is meet up with the candidates for Confirmation. Each person has a story of coming to faith and encountering the God who rebuilds, restores and renews. Each one has people who have encouraged, inspired and prayed for them. In many ways they are an example of kingdom success - as a friend of mine once said “success is only success when there are successors”. Kingdom success? It is measured in making disciples and faithfulness to the commands of Jesus. It’s so different from what the world around us sees as success - for us, success is obedience to what the Father asks and a natural consequence of this is that we will grow as disciples and make disciples. Are you in a position where you can see this working out in your life? As you head to the end of 2021 are you seeing kingdom success - successors - people you are encouraging and praying for?
Staffing News
The Christ Church Cafe is a really encouraging aspect of our ministry and has got to the healthy stage, thanks to a fantastic team, of being able to financially sustain a part time management role. Suzanne Martin has been appointed and will begin to serve, heading up the cafe team from the new year. Please support Suzanne as she settles into the role.
Re-Store has continued to grow throughout the pandemic - it is at a new and challenging phase of development. We have increased the hours of Toni Miles as a faith step to respond to the opportunities and challenges. Please pray and also continue to support Re-Store in practical ways.
Giving
Thank you for giving financially to our Network of Churches - prayerful and planned giving really helps us - if you wish to know more about how to give please see our website CCBN.org.uk or phone 01262 404100.
COVID-19
We continue to encourage Covid-19 awareness and care when we gather together. Please wear face coverings when you sing in worship and when you are close to others. We are keeping our buildings as ventilated as possible, keeping seating arrangements distanced where possible and encouraging continued use of hand sanitiser. In Christ Church there is a designated area for those who desire further protection. Please continue with kindness, understanding and patience for each other.
Covid-19 Update
Please note that following the government announcements this week some tightening of restrictions is necessary - the Church of England says the following: “Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport and in a range of indoor venues including places of worship.”
This will be the case across our network - we can still sing wearing our masks and those leading worship and preaching can still take their masks off for such purposes.
Exemptions are still permitted.
Please continue to sanitise your hands and carefully respond in care and kindness to those around us.
Thanks for your ongoing patience. God continues to be good!
Mark Carey
Christmas Gatherings at Christ Church
CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS AT CHRIST CHURCH
Thursday 16th December 7pm – A Celebration of Music & Song
With East Coast Festival Chorus and Band
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Sunday 19th December 9am – Holy Communion in the Key Centre & Zoom
Sunday 19th December 10.30am – Family Gathering
Sunday 19th December 6pm – Carols at Christ Church (also on YouTube)
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Friday 24th December 4pm – Family Nativity
Friday 24th December 11.30pm – Midnight Communion
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Saturday 25th December 10.30am – Christmas Day at Christ Church
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Sunday 26th December 9am – Holy Communion in the Key Centre & Zoom
Sunday 26th December 6pm on YouTube – A Christmas Message
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
Sunday 2nd January 9am – Holy Communion in the Key Centre & Zoom
Sunday 2nd January 10.30am – Family Gathering
Sunday 2nd January 6pm – Evening Gathering