Monthly newsletter September 2011

Well that’s been quite a summer! As most of you know the Rices, and several other families have moved house this summer. The process involved a lot of de cluttering, letting go of some things, welcoming other new items, working out how to use new spaces differently, a lot of hard work unpacking and re arranging. A lot of joy in discovering new ways of living in a space. We, as a family are so grateful for our new home and for the generosity of God’s people that has made this move possible.

But it has made me think about us as a church too. We are moving you know. Not physically maybe at the moment, thanks to the lovely new hall at Jesse Gray, but God is expanding our thinking, our horizons, our view of who He is and what He is up to.

Our time at The Test Match has been rich and full of grace and favour from unusual sources. Our young people have come back from soul survivor full of a passion to see a nation changed. Some of our family have been through terrible loss and some have walked a difficult path this summer. But my overwhelming sense is of a new expanded faith filled space for us to now live in.

It would be strange if we as a family chose to use our new home in the same way as our old one, to squash into one room for all activities, to try and keep everything just as it was. There is joy in change as well as loss. I wonder how following the Jesus we have met through John’s seven signs over the summer teaching will change the way we live. I wonder what we might need to get rid of, move around, welcome or expand? I wonder are we ready to believe Jesus and believing Him embrace life, in all its fullness. Following this Jesus into His world may mean change and risk. Are you up for the adventure? I sense, as a church, our boxes are packed and its a bit late to pull out now!

Ruth R.

September 2011