Dear Friends
Congratulations, Gill
A few of us attended a very short service today with Martin Breadmore, Archdeacon of Dorking. As Gill needed to be relicensed as an Assistant Minister at St Nicolas following the successful completion of her training, Martin popped in to do the deed. On Sunday at 10 o’clock we’ll read out the words of the licence giving many more of us an opportunity to hear the words used. Meanwhile, well done. Gill, and with much appreciation!
The God Story
Last Sunday we began our new sermon series, The God Story. We’re using as a framework for our sermons, Alain Emerson and Adam Cox’s book by the same name. As I have written in the Ministry Team Letter in this month’s magazine, the series is prompted by the realisation that whilst we may know a good many Bible stories, we’re not always so clear about how they fit into the one big overarching story of salvation history and therefore why they are relevant to us. Last week we began with The Origin (Creation) - a very good place to start! This week we move on to Genesis 3 and the story of The Fall.
Increasing our capacity to take forward the mission of the church
The third of three Specific Action Points to support the third priority of our current Church Development Plan is “To recruit a communications team who then take forward the recommendations of the Communications Strategy.” Nick Garrett writes, “The Communication part of the current CDP is following on from the excellent strategy work done by Vicki last time round. We are looking at a new Church Database, Website and Information Display, as well as a communications plan for posting on social media, but I fear it is very slow progress with limited resources. Onwards and upwards…”
Supporting the Sustainable Bookham Fair
We look forward to the Sustainable Bookham Fair in St Nicolas this coming Saturday. A huge thanks to all those who have put work into preparing it and who will be there on the day. Although it will be happening 10.00am-3.00pm, obviously you are welcome to pop in for as short or long a time as you can manage.
Praying with the Bishop of Dorking (and Acting Bishop of Guildford)
Don’t forget, Bishop Paul invites all of us in Leatherhead Deanery to a gathering this coming Sunday 14 June 6.00-7.30pm at St George’s, Ashtead, with tea and coffee served from 5.30pm. The gathering provides an opportunity for Bishop Paul to meet, pray and worship with clergy and congregations as part of his pastoral care for the diocese. He writes, “Although the past months have held deep sadness, my heart has also been lifted by the remarkable signs of God’s grace I have witnessed across the diocese. Our time together will include thanksgiving, a celebration of what God is doing in each parish, prayer for the specific needs of your ministry and parish, worship and a few reflections from me on what I sense God may be saying to us in this season.” If you would be willing to give a 'one-minute encouragement' from our parish at the gathering, please let me know as soon as you can.
Two important dates
We have been saddened by the recent deaths of two of our church members. The funeral for Deborah Gallacher will take place in St Nicolas at 12.30pm on Wednesday 24 July followed by refreshments in the Barn Hall. The thanksgiving service for Janice Spencer-Skeen is taking place on Monday 13 July at 2.00pm. You are very welcome at both services.
Keeping up to date
Our weekly notice sheet is available both online (click here) and in church. Excerpts from our 10 o’clock service last Sunday are also available online; click here to access.
And finally…
Today’s collect celebrates the great encourager Barnabas.
Bountiful God, giver of all gifts,
who poured your Spirit upon your servant Barnabas
and gave him grace to encourage others:
help us, by his example,
to be generous in our judgements
and unselfish in our service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Wishing you much grace and peace.
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
