Dear Friends
It was a great pleasure to welcome Bishop Bev, the Bishop of Warrington, to our Team Celebration at St.James’ on 1 February. She spoke movingly and honestly of her own faith journey, and encouraged us to keep meeting together (Acts 2: 42-47) and to abide in God’s love (John 15:9) as ways of sustaining ourselves for God’s mission and ministry amongst those whom we seek to serve. It was also very encouraging to hear testimonies of the different ways in which God has been at work through the lives of our congregations.
Then on Sunday 9 February, numbers of us from across the team attended the Church Warrington United Service at the Parr Hall. This was a lively event attended by approx. 1,000 people from our town’s churches. It was great to see a video outlining the different ways in which a number of different churches are engaging in mission and seeking to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It was also inspiring to hear Andy Hawthorne, the founder of the Message Trust, share something of his remarkable story of coming to and expressing faith. Andy will be speaking again at the Parr Hall on Saturday 18 April at 7 p.m. on ‘The Power of Hope in a Messed Up World’ and we are encouraged to invite non-Christian friends to hear him. Tickets are available through Eventbrite (search: Church Warrington).
The season of Lent will soon be upon us and we will be marking this with two services of Holy Communion, open to all in our team, at St.Mary’s on Wednesday 26 February at 10am and 7.30 p.m. The Churches Together Lent groups will begin the following week and this year will be focusing on the ITV drama ‘Broken’ starring Sean Bean and the challenges he faces as an inner-city priest. Groups will be running on Tuesday afternoons at Penketh Methodist, Tuesday evenings at a home in Hood Manor, and Thursday mornings either at my home or at St.Mary’s (depending on numbers). You will be able to sign up for a group at the Ash Wednesday services or email me if you prefer.
A final thought as we have begun this new year (indeed new decade!): ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today & forever’ (Hebrew 13: 8). Whatever we may be facing at present, may we know the reality of God’s constant love surrounding and upholding us all.
Yours in His service
Jeremy Tear, Pioneer Team Rector
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