Mark Carey writes
Sometimes we need simple encouragements and reminders to keep us secure.
This week I've found myself drawn to the end of Psalm 27 - I hope it encourages you as well.
"I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD."
You may want to listen to this song called 'Land of the Living'
What's On and What We Do
Our website is a good source of information for upcoming events and planning ahead. You can also get information about 'what we do' - it is being updated regularly so do check it
Mark Carey writes
It's been a pretty intense period of time as we've mourned the death of the Queen, shared in the funeral service and observed the process of the accession of King Charles to the throne.
What a combination of experiences and emotions we have gone through – plus some really interesting reminders about what our system of governing looks like and how we uphold it through faith, monarchy and the houses of parliament.
We are in a time of significant transition – leaving an era behind and yet not quite there in terms of the new era. Someone once said that “Christians live from the centre out and the centre is God” – this is a time where we must keep finding our centre in Jesus and work outwards from that centre of his word, ways and works.
ALPHA is starting soon – do get in touch with the office if you want to take part – John Dixon is coordinating the team and we are going to have a lot of fun exploring faith.
Mark Carey Writes
We have just held a vision morning for our teams that serve across the Christ Church site – there were about 50 of us and there are many more who were unable to attend. Our last one was three years ago – it was noticeable how much has changed and yet how much has grown and developed. One of the things I talked about was the three up’s from the film Oz The Great and Powerful. Show Up, Keep Up, Shut Up.
I pointed out that showing up means a lot – our reliability and consistency matters. Everyone benefits from our reliability and consistency.
I also pointed out that keeping up means we stay connected and keep up with changes and developments. That we communicate well together.
Finally I pointed out that knowing when to shut up and when not to is important. Sometimes we say the wrong things – even get caught up in gossip. At other times we don’t say things that we should say.
As people serving Jesus together we need to show up, keep up and shut up.
What I didn’t say is that I think we saw in the Queen a model of living in this way – she has been a reliable and consistent point of stability during uncertain and difficult times. During her lifetime we have seen her making the difficult acts of adjusting and adapting to changes in society – staying connected. She has also tried to get the balance right between when to say something and when not to, how to advise and influence. I’m sure there were times she wanted to say something but chose to shut up to be true to her role and calling.
For those of you in or near Bridlington – we are going to gather at the War Memorial at the end of the 6pm Evening Gathering for the silence at 8pm.
On Monday the broadcast of the funeral service will be shown at Christ Church, St Mark’s Westhill and Emmanuel Church.
Sunday 18th September 6pm Gathering
Our guest speaker this Sunday 18th at the Christ Church 6pm is Mark Burgess. With his wife, Anna, and family he moved from the UK in 2007 to live in Chorrillos, South Lima, Peru. He leads Oikos Ministries, whose vision is to plant churches throughout Peru and beyond.
Mark Carey writes
Some of you will be very familiar with the hymn – Abide With Me – I love the fact that it is sung at every FA Cup Final. It is also a familiar funeral hymn which makes it seem like it is all about death when, in fact, it is about relationship with God throughout the whole of life, which includes the time of death. This week I’ve been thinking about a line in the second verse:
“Change and decay in all around I see, O thou who changest not, abide with me”
It seems particularly appropriate to have such words in mind as we navigate the ongoing challenges of less, limits and loss, a change of Prime Minister, an increasing awareness of the Queen’s increasingly frail health, and as we contemplate the war in Ukraine and floods in Pakistan. Change and decay is all around. But God doesn’t change – he is faithful and abides with us.
Mark Carey writes
Signs
We did some quiet visits to Bridlington & Christ Church in preparation for our move here nearly five years ago. One of the most helpful things about that was meeting Mark Beckett. Mark is part of the staff team with specific responsibility to care for the buildings. He shared his faith story, and words of welcome & kindness - he is fantastic! I love the way he shares his story - do ask him! At that time, I remember thinking that this was something of a sign - something to take notice of - a man telling me about the way his life has been transformed as he has met Jesus. A sign of what I was inheriting and going to be part of. I was reminded of this when I saw the excellent work Mark Beckett has done on the big roadside sign for Christ Church. Mark is renewing our signs - maybe God is renewing us as signs of his transforming work?
Rev. Mark Carey Christ Church Bridlington Network
Mark Carey writes
Part of my summer TV viewing is the documentary called “All or Nothing” – following my beloved Arsenal through the highs and lows of last season. Now, bear with me all of you who have immediately started switching off because football bores you – I do have a point to make that may be helpful!
Documentaries give you an insight into something, but they are always and only a limited insight. You don’t ever, truly understand until you are flesh on flesh with the people or living in the situation. I am aware, watching the Arsenal documentary that a lot more is happening behind the scenes. The same can be said of God’s kingdom and the way of Jesus – sometimes we get the documentary version that gives a glimpse of some of the internal workings. But this is simply a glimpse – helpful – but not the whole story. We are invited to be flesh on flesh – not viewers, spectators, on-lookers and dare I say it……. church-goers. This means we give ourselves to being set apart for God – part of the documentary and not just viewers. The Bible word for this is ‘consecration’ – set apart as holy – dedicated to a higher purpose. A disciple of Jesus is one who is set apart for a higher purpose in our ordinary lives – people get to see us and realise that there is much more to this than turning up to a service in a church building.
A final thought – ‘All or Nothing’ is a pretty good title for the life of a follower of Jesus – consecration to Him and His way means we have chosen all or nothing – St Paul put it in this way -
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…”
Mark Carey writes,
A group of us from across the network had a fantastic time camping at New Wine last week. You can see some of the stories from a few of the people who went if you go to our YouTube channel. The weather was glorious and to be in an atmosphere of passionate worship, excellent and challenging teaching and prayer ministry – sharing deeply with each other - was a great joy. I found myself drawn to seeking even deeper relationship with Jesus, hungry for more of his way, works and word.
One of the things I love about being among you all is that there is great passion for Jesus – yes, some people simply go through the motions, but many here recognize that a life lived with Jesus at the centre is best – whatever our circumstances. Around the network we are seeing many encouragements – things aren’t easy and yet people are encountering Jesus – we are adapting and responding and seeing some growth that we didn’t plan for or expect. Last Wednesday evening over 40 people gathered for worship and prayer in Christ Church – people from across the network. Yes there is still disruption and uncertainty, yes there is war and economic crisis. Yes there are really difficult personal circumstances and health problems. However, Jesus is Lord and he continues to bring his rule and reign to bear on human existence and invites us to join him with what he is doing. I’m reminded of the words of someone called Margaret Mead who said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”. That is a great way of describing what we are about as a network of churches
Mark Carey writes
As we head into the second part of 2022 I’m struck by the way in which worship & prayer has featured so strongly. We have given ourselves to worship and prayer every Wednesday evening since the new year. Our weekday commit to prayer continues. This blog from Matthew Porter is a helpful encouragement in prayer especially thinking about praying for other people and circumstances https://matthewporter.blog/2022/07/13/maybe-theyre-onto-something/
I find that I have the need to establish a regular pattern of daily and weekly prayer in my life. Bringing to God circumstances and issues in a holy routine of drawing close to the God who draws close to me. And then - further to that - there is what I call ‘kairos’ prayer - that is the kind of praying we sense God calling us to give more time to. I’ve done that in response to Covid, the Ukraine war, the national crisis we have found ourselves in and especially in regard to some specific family circumstances. When the disciples found they couldn’t help a young man be delivered from the demons besetting him Jesus told them that there are times when things only change by prayer and fasting. I think there are times we are to increase our prayer focus, raise the level of our daily disciplines, give ourselves to the task of cooperating with God in his work of transformation. As we enter the second half of the year I am praying that the Lord will not find us busy but rather praying and worshipping and listening.
Remember the verse we have in mind for 2022? Psalm 16:11 -
You make known to me the path of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence,with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Mark Carey writes
Last Sunday evening Alan Botterill brought an excellent challenge that he has shared recently with the part of our network that he serves – Martongate Community Church. He sensed the Lord impressing the word “POPPYSEED” upon him. Alan has an agricultural background and was able to talk about one poppy producing thousands of seeds but less than 1% germinate the following year. The vast majority of seeds are washed underground and remain dormant, some for more than 100 years. The seed has to come into contact with light to germinate and so when ground disturbance happens – think of the first world war poppies on Flanders fields emerging because of the artillery. This also made me think of when we began to dig in certain places in our garden and the poppies that emerged a year later. It also made me think of the disturbance we are experiencing as a result of Covid and other factors in the world around us.
Alan pointed out that God’s word is ‘seed’. It is scattered and has been scattered liberally through many initiatives and practices over the years such as Christmas and weddings, school assemblies and other occasions. The seed is there – waiting for the light. And WE are the light of the world – this is what Jesus said. Alan brought the challenge to us all to be light-bearers and seed-sowers.
What God has done in your life, the light he has brought to your life is there for a reason – to bring light to others – germinating the seed of God’s word. And let’s also remember to sow seeds in people’s lives – listening to them, sharing the reason why we have peace and praying for them.
Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord,
Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12
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One of the many things I love about being part of this network of churches is that we have such a variety of people who are hearing and responding to Jesus, being obedient, sharing faith across church gatherings and in workplaces and homes. We are running a series of interviews for the Christ Church 10.30am Gathering about being gathered and scattered – do watch them week by week as we make them available on our YouTube channel.
It was great to commission Donna Brooks as a Community Minister – she has gained much from being part of the Mustard Seed ‘Stepping Up’ training and will be serving and leading amongst those who are seeking to recover from addiction as well as being a lay member of the Restore team.
Mark Carey writes
Last Sunday evening someone came to faith in Jesus – they’ve got a long journey ahead of them – but they took the next step. That’s what it feels like for me all these years after coming to faith – I continue to keep taking the next step. I’m sure many of you can relate to this.
I met a man on Wednesday morning who has hit rock bottom. As he has found support in Restore Hope Hub his hope is being restored and he is beginning to contemplate a future life free from addiction. Through prayerful kindness and compassion people are finding restoration. I note especially, that those who have got alongside him are really ‘real’ – I love this – we can’t pretend that problems are solved overnight, or that the circumstances that we find ourselves in aren’t extremely challenging. But we do believe that, in Jesus’s words, “the kingdom is near” and that Jesus breaks into the reality with his way, truth and life. We just keep taking the next steps and being real.
There are many ways in which we are engaging in the reality of life with the love of Jesus across this network church of churches – keep going!
This week St Mark’s, Westhill has been one of the places that hosted the new Bishop of Hull on the day her appointment was made public. She met up with people from across our network and especially those involved in Mustard Seed which focuses on growing disciples in places where life is tough and Multiply with its focus on reaching those in the 20’s-40’s generations. We look forward to working with Bishop Ellie in the years to come.
Click on this link for more information about Bishop Ellie https://dioceseofyork.org.uk/news-events/news/next-suffragan-bishop-of-hull-the-rt-revd-dr-eleanor-sanderson/
Rev. Mark Carey. Christ Church Bridlington Network.
Miriam Thurlow writes
Part of living the Jesus way is about developing our sense of defined belonging, and on Sunday I shared a bit about how an important part of belonging is knowing your story. Not just growing in self-awareness (although this is good too) but knowing the bigger story of God’s great love. And knowing that it isn’t just the story of some people, but that we can all say ‘this is my story’ because we each have a role to play in it.
Knowing this bigger story we are a part of as God’s children is a part of belonging because we know who we are and whose we are. This shared sense of belonging in God’s family is our starting point for building relationships. It’s not about trading or comparing stories to see how different we are, or even how similar we are, but delighting in being a part of the same big story of being loved by God.
God’s great love story with His people is our story, our shared story, which helps us know we belong to God’s family and belong to each other. And knowing we belong is only the start, we are called to show others they can belong too, that it can be their story as well, not just ours.
Let’s be confident in knowing God’s story is our story. Let’s be bold in sharing our story with others. Let’s be generous in how we welcome people and show them God’s great love story could also be their story
Miriam
Oli Preston writes
Next Tuesday is Midsummers Day - the longest day in the year. We have had a week of beautiful weather, what a wonderful gift! This is a great time to enjoy being outside - to drink in the beauty and splendour of God’s good creation - our shared home - to admire the wonder and find joy in the goodness of God in the world around us.
As we approach midsummer we are just past mid-way between COP26 (in Glasgow last November) and COP27, which will be in Sharm el Sheik (on the Red Sea coast of Egypt) later this year. These big gatherings of world leaders to discuss global agreements on how to respond to the climate and ecological crisis feel very far distant from day to day life in our lovely seaside town… But the conversations and agreements that happen there effect our whole world - including us here, and our brothers and sisters around the world. Sea level rises threatening coastal life, instability in food production as weather patterns change, increased migration as some parts of the world move towards being uninhabitable - all of these things are coming soon, and are already happening for many people. We need urgent change in how our world works - to move away from fossil fuels and wastefulness, and towards a sustainable future of living in better connection and care for the world. The scale of the problem and challenge can be quite intimidating!
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
As followers of Jesus, we don’t respond to trouble and challenging times with anxiety or by putting our heads in the sand, but with prayerful engagement. We are not alone! The Spirit of God is already at work in the world, hearing and responding to the ‘groaning’ of creation. In prayer we bring the needs of our world before God - treasuring His good gift to us, asking for His help as we seek to safeguard, restore and renew, and listening for where God is calling us to be agents of His coming Kingdom. This is at the heart of the ‘Pilgrimage to COP27’. Pilgrimage is a prayerful and purposeful journey - often moving towards a particular destination or travelling with a specific purpose. As Christ Church Network (and friends and wider community) we would like to try and cover the distance from Glasgow to Sharm el Sheik (3,327 miles) with prayerful, purposeful journeying. This could be walking, riding bikes, rolling a wheelchair, running - whatever kind of active transport you like, on your own or with others. You can pick up a prayer card to help you with this if you like, or find everything you need here: https://forms.gle/uuicVUWGsG1BbTKUA
forms.gle
The Lord bless your coming and your going.
Rev. Oli Preston
Multiply Minister (Bridlington) and 'Green Dean' for Bridlington Deanery
Christ Church Bridlington Network
Re-Store Appeal
Can you help us support those in need in our community with this weeks appeal? Please donate and/or share.
THANK YOU
Mark Carey writes
We are in an era of limits, less and loss. Even amongst celebrations like the Platinum Jubilee we are all too aware of the challenges of these times. As a Network of 9 expressions of church of many different areas of service and mission, we keep seeking to serve the health and well-being of our communities with the good news that even though there are limits, less and loss – Jesus is Lord.
Last Sunday evening at the 6pm Gathering – you can watch it on https://youtu.be/lcvGNdDeX5I - I shared a couple of things as words of ‘counsel’ for the church at this time. The verse I used is Romans 8:11 “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you”.
Firstly, if you are feeling limited, less than you once were, the Holy Spirit – the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in you. Find your voice, recover your voice, use your voice. You are empowered.
Secondly, take hold of the divine commission, the consecration that you have, to be an empowered witness. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead brings life to your mortal body – you are sent as a witness to his great work. Tell your story from the place of your calling – as the Queen was set aside and took her solemn consecration seriously – so must we.
Finally, a word of thanks. Thank you to all you volunteers across the network. There are times when I am simply in awe of the acts of kindness, sacrificial service and love that I witness. This, of course, is as it should be – Jesus came not to be served but to serve. That’s what we do – wherever we sense we are called to serve, and I am aware that service isn’t limited to and exclusive around church settings. I am also praying for the numbers of people who are still searching for how best to serve their call from God. Keep serving the health and well-being of your community.
Rev Mark Carey, Christ Church Bridlington Network
Mark Carey writes
June is going to be a month of events. The national celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee, and more locally the ordinations of Miriam Thurlow, Darius Traves and Steve Cox.
What do these occasions have in common? They are all about a public dedication to a higher purpose. In a sense, all of us are consecrated in baptism but we recognise that there is a benefit, for all of us, in setting aside certain people for certain tasks and responsibilities. I found myself thinking about the decision the disciples made to replace Judas with someone else. Two people were proposed but only one, Matthias, was chosen to become one of the 12 apostles. Does this mean that Barsabbas was not as important as Matthias? No. It simply means that Matthias was the one set aside for that particular role. Some of us are set aside, consecrated publicly, like the Queen, and Miriam and Darius and Steve. But all are, in Jesus’s words, “chosen and appointed to bear fruit, fruit that will last”. My hope and prayer is that each one of us will live our lives as consecrated people – set aside for the high purpose of serving the health and well-being of our communities.
Dates for your diaries
Thursday 2nd June 2.00pm – 5.00pm Free Family Fun-day at Christ Church
Sunday 5th June 6.00pm Gathering. Network commissioning and prayer for Steve Cox and Darius Traves.
Saturday 11th June at 4.00pm. Miriam Thurlow Ordination as Priest. Hull Minster.
Sunday 12th June Miriam Thurlow celebration lunch at Christ Church
Saturday 25th June at 4.30pm. Darius Traves and Steve Cox Ordination as Deacons. York Minster.
Rev. Mark Carey. Christ Church Bridlington Network.
NEW WINE 2022
To be able to run this summer, New Wine need team!
Almost all teams involved in the conference need additional applicants –
There are many ways to serve:
Children’s work or youth work
Café serving, stewarding, site services
Supporting children with additional needs (Our Place) or adults with learning disabilities (Access)
If you have special skills, medical or technical teams
And many more
To apply, go to www.new-wine.org/teams Team places are free of charge, but you can also make a small contribution if you want to receive team catering. New Wine have also just launched “part time team places” (for some teams) which may suit many – perhaps you’d not want to or be able to work a full day but would love to attend, or work your service around your childcare, etc. Part-time team details are here: https://www.new-wine.org/united-pt-team/
And do please pray that God will raise up people to answer the call so that thousands are able to have a lifechanging encounter with God at a time when it is most needed! Thank you.
Oli Preston writes
Last Saturday morning, while the Hear and Encounter day was starting in the main Christ Church building, we had our third ‘Multiply Greenhouse’ gathering in the Key Centre. Greenhouse is a learning community, where we gather as teams who are hearing and responding to God’s call to explore new things - looking and listening for where God is calling us to love and serve, building community, sharing Jesus and seeing church happen. We now have 5 teams who are part of this - all very different, and at different stages. We come together to reflect back on where God has been at work, to be encouraged and equipped, and to prayerfully plan ahead for next steps. It was so exciting on Saturday to share stories of where God has been at work, where we have tried things and it hasn’t worked but we’ve learned and grown, and what God is leading us into now.
When we first started Greenhouse I shared a simple cartoon of a person with a backpack on - the caption is “I’ve no idea where I’m going. Anyone care to join me?”. This is a bit of a jokey way of capturing a really key element of what we are doing - setting off on an adventure together and letting God lead the way. As Mark put it in morning prayer on Tuesday: “Calling will come as we serve. Worry less about the mess than the blessing.”
God is at work. Not just in the Greenhouse teams or the things that already are, but calling all of us to live for Him in every place we are. As Jesus called His first disciples saying simply, “Come, follow Me”, today He invites us too to follow Him in new depth of encounter, belonging and purposeful service. We don’t have to know the destination - we have a very trustworthy Guide.
Rev. Oli Preston
Multiply Minister (Bridlington) and 'Green Dean' for Bridlington Deanery
