Newsletter for March 2010
From our Superintendent Minister, Rev. Stephen Barnett
Dear Friends, I thought I would share with you the story of Kate. Kate worshipped weekly. She was in a study group, attended Lenten courses and gave generously. But Kate was putting on a front for she was ill at ease with herself and deeply sad. She felt that things she did were a waste of time and that if she were to disappear no one would notice. The more she felt this, the more she did to blot out the feeling with activity. Her church organised a quiet weekend. She didn't go. Worship was different for, with fewer people, the minister led a silent service, in solidarity with the spirit of the weekend. Kate felt tricked - in a place she had not chosen to be. For the first time she did not try to be cheerful before God. She prayed, 'I know I have so much to be grateful for - I've no right to be miserable. But I am. I am.' Gradually over weeks, Kate's honest prayer was met. She began to see that she had never rested in God's presence, always pre-empting God's response to her prayers. Now when she was alone and sad, God became her companion. And sadness itself was no longer a lonely feeling. God did not 'push out' Kate's sadness and fill her up with joy but worked through her sadness to transform her life. She gave up a lot of the church action and became a volunteer with The Samaritans. One day her minister said to her, 'I used to think you were so fixated on 'doing 'and that you didn't know how to 'be'. 'It was God's gentle spirit that changed me', she said, 'we met on the quiet weekend', which puzzled the minister, because Kate had not been there. By the time you read this letter we will be well into the season of Lent. This is a season when we can be open to the transforming love of God just like Kate. Whether it is a study group with other Christians, Lenten breakfasts or acts of worship, each of these opportunities to take something on discovering what it can mean to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus. Maybe this season of Lent can be a time when we can discover the power of the Cross of Jesus in a new and wonderful way. Maybe in the process a chance to move from just 'doing' and discover what it means 'to be'. In the words of the Methodist Worship Book, 'In the name of Christ, therefore, I invite you to observe this holy season of Lent, by prayer, self denial and charitable giving; by self examination and repentance; and reading and meditating on God's word.' May God richly bless you during this season of Lent. Yours sincerely Stephen _____________________________________
Friday 5th March
1.00pm: Bible Study - "Jesus, the Way".
Sunday 7th March
Family/Parade Service led by Rev Stephen Barnett.
Tuesday 9th March
2.00pm: The Fellowship - Speaker: S. Nuttall
7.30pm: Local Preachers' Meeting
Friday 12th March
1.00pm: Bible Study - "Jesus, the Vine".
Saturday 13th March
10am - 12 noon: Overgate Hospice Spring Fair.
Sunday 14th March
10.30am: Welcome Service/Mothering Sunday Service, led by Rev. John Saville.
(Traidcraft Stall after the service.)
Friday 19th March
1.00pm: Bible Study - "Jesus the Son"
Sunday 21st March
10.30am: Morning Worship led by James Greig
Thursday25th March
12 noon: Mustard Seed Lunch
Friday 26th March
1.00pm: Bible Study - "Jesus the Priest"
Sunday 28th March
Healing & Wholeness Service with Communion. Led by Rev. Paul Clapham.
All the above events are at St. Paul's except where stated differently.