Minister's Letter |
Dear Glenfield friends,
As we continue to prepare for a Christmas like no other, I wanted to concentrate on some of the highlights of our Advent season. Now that we are more knowledgeable with Zoom technology, I am hugely enjoying our worship time together. It feels as if you have graciously allowed me into your homes and I love to hear you greeting church family friends and the chatter at the end of the service. Whilst I am ever mindful of many of our friends who cannot access this form of worship, I hope and pray that with the church open and paper copies of the service being delivered each week, we can maintain some form of connection in these difficult days.
One of my other passions is to lead small group study and again I am very glad that there have been two groups meeting on Mondays for our Advent Bible Study “A way through the wilderness” by Paula Gooder. Originally a Lent course, it seemed that its themes were so appropriate to us as we experience a wilderness time because of the restrictions imposed by Covid-19. Centred on Isaiah chapter 40 we have been thinking about comfort that brings about change and the wilderness experiences which lead to renewal and enjoyed one another’s company immensely. After Christmas I would like these groups to continue if there is sufficient interest, so look out in the weekly notices for news in the New Year.
Something else that is the highlight of my weekend is our “Coffee and Chat” times on a Thursday morning, again on Zoom. It is a very relaxed way to get to know each other better. How I long for the day when we can throw open the front door of the manse and welcome you in. Until then I hope we can continue to meet virtually and urge more of you to join us.
As Fred and I were working on the music for Christingle and Christmas day we spoke of how emotional it’s going to be in worship on these very special days, especially as we are spending our first Christmas in Leicester on our own. It will be wonderful to spend some of Christmas Eve and Christmas day with some of you, our new church family. However you are spending this amazing season, and whoever you are spending it with, I pray that you will know the joy, peace and love that the Infant Jesus brings. I pray that we will all relish the simple things, and to know in our hearts that “Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine.”
Stay safe and well,
Happy Christmas from us both.
God bless you richly.
P.S. After prayerful consultation with my Circuit colleagues and with the stewards, I have decided that it is better to postpone our Annual Covenant Service until a time when we can meet more freely in church. It could be a lovely way to re-commit ourselves to God when restrictions are lifted. I do hope you understand and I will still be leading worship on Sunday 3rd January
As we continue to prepare for a Christmas like no other, I wanted to concentrate on some of the highlights of our Advent season. Now that we are more knowledgeable with Zoom technology, I am hugely enjoying our worship time together. It feels as if you have graciously allowed me into your homes and I love to hear you greeting church family friends and the chatter at the end of the service. Whilst I am ever mindful of many of our friends who cannot access this form of worship, I hope and pray that with the church open and paper copies of the service being delivered each week, we can maintain some form of connection in these difficult days.
One of my other passions is to lead small group study and again I am very glad that there have been two groups meeting on Mondays for our Advent Bible Study “A way through the wilderness” by Paula Gooder. Originally a Lent course, it seemed that its themes were so appropriate to us as we experience a wilderness time because of the restrictions imposed by Covid-19. Centred on Isaiah chapter 40 we have been thinking about comfort that brings about change and the wilderness experiences which lead to renewal and enjoyed one another’s company immensely. After Christmas I would like these groups to continue if there is sufficient interest, so look out in the weekly notices for news in the New Year.
Something else that is the highlight of my weekend is our “Coffee and Chat” times on a Thursday morning, again on Zoom. It is a very relaxed way to get to know each other better. How I long for the day when we can throw open the front door of the manse and welcome you in. Until then I hope we can continue to meet virtually and urge more of you to join us.
As Fred and I were working on the music for Christingle and Christmas day we spoke of how emotional it’s going to be in worship on these very special days, especially as we are spending our first Christmas in Leicester on our own. It will be wonderful to spend some of Christmas Eve and Christmas day with some of you, our new church family. However you are spending this amazing season, and whoever you are spending it with, I pray that you will know the joy, peace and love that the Infant Jesus brings. I pray that we will all relish the simple things, and to know in our hearts that “Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine.”
Stay safe and well,
Happy Christmas from us both.
God bless you richly.
P.S. After prayerful consultation with my Circuit colleagues and with the stewards, I have decided that it is better to postpone our Annual Covenant Service until a time when we can meet more freely in church. It could be a lovely way to re-commit ourselves to God when restrictions are lifted. I do hope you understand and I will still be leading worship on Sunday 3rd January
