Earlier this year, the core team of leaders from our four churches chose the following verse to be our team bible verse for this year: ‘Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3: 13b-14). When we chose that verse, we were thinking about how we might focus our attention on what God has in store for each of our churches and for us a team this year as we build back following the Covid pandemic. How are we getting on with doing that, I wonder? Have we been able to give time to pray to discern what God has in store for us?
I have been reminded of that verse in recent weeks as I have been part of the Faith and Wellbeing team operating at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. For when St. Paul wrote that verse, he was probably thinking of the athletes taking part in the Olympic or Isthmian Games, the latter of which were held every other year in Corinth. It was a great privilege to be involved in providing pastoral and spiritual support to those in the athletes’ villages, and as I reflect upon that time now, I am grateful for the ways in which we were able to encourage some to press on in their faith and to encourage others to think about faith as well.
Looking back over the past couple of months, it was great to have Rebecca Lloyd ordained as a self-supporting curate at St. James’ within the Team. Thankyou for your prayers for her son Theo, who is now much better. Please do continue to pray for Rebecca, and her family, as she and they settle into this new phase of her life. And many thanks too to those from our team who helped out with the Penketh Carnival on July 9th. It was a beautiful day and fantastic to be able to remind the local community that, with others, ‘We are the Church’ – still here for people. Do pray too for those from our team helping out with the local churches tent at the Creamfields Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend. If you can help, and haven’t yet signed up, the organisers are looking for people who can help with the 8am-4 pm shifts, especially on the Sunday 28 August, email wearethechurchatcreamfields@hotmail.com.
Finally, on a personal note, my Mum died on 22 July. She had not been well for a number of years and really struggling in more recent times. I am grateful for the faith that sustained her throughout her life (and which she encouraged me in). Her funeral is on August 15. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
With my prayers and best wishes.
Jeremy Tear, Pioneer Team Rector
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