04 Sep Vicars’ Blog – September 2017 – Opportunities of the season.
Opportunities of the season.
What season is it? One answer is September – lovely late summer with ripe apples and plums, post school break holidays and gentle apprehensions of a new school year; the start of an autumn of activity culminating in Christmas.
Another answer is in the church the season of Heritage Day and Remembrance: two opportunities to celebrate with the local community in Walton. The season of harvest which this year we combine with Mission allowing our deep thankfulness to God to overflow in prayer and generosity to those in need as we hear over Saturday supper (7th October) from those we have given to through our mission giving (10% of our income).
It is also a season of new starts as we sadly say farewell to the Samuels family who have served God here in Walton for 9 years with the Church Army. Sheila begins training for the Ordained ministry in the Church of England in September. We wish Sheila, Patrick and the family God’s blessing. Our organist Patrick Milne, who has been here for almost a year, is stepping up in his music career which requires a move to Glasgow. It is a season for stepping up both our choral and contemporary music by taking on two people to lead theses specific roles. The PCC are also looking to employ a second Children and families minister specialising in under 5’s and outreach, to welcome and pastor the increasing number of young families in Walton. Please look out for opportunities to contribute to the salary for this Young Families post.
Another answer is that it is an exciting season of seeking God for our future as a church. In the August Vicar’s blog, we outlined the two stage Vision and Discernment process we are engaged in as a parish. Stage 1 “Our Story”, will have a display and celebration around Heritage Day and Stage 2 “Where are we going?” will be collated from the opinions of as many people as possible on what we think God wants the church to look like in ten years’ time. Please look out for the Questionnaire this month.
Regrettably, there will not be a Radius for the next couple of months as the editor is moving on. We want to say a huge thank you to Sarah who has been editor through her maternity leave. We will provide a monthly bulletin with vicar’s update, details of services and pointers for prayer available at the back of both St Mary’s and St John’s churches.
We rejoice in all the wonderful opportunities of this season. Finally, as this month’s sermons focus on the amazing privileges for us as Christians from Ephesians, may you know you are blessed, chosen, holy and an integral part of God’s family.
Yours,
Cathy and Jonny