The Vicar's Two Penn'orth for March 2015: Reaching Out into the Community

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SN’T it wonderful to see the mornings and evenings drawing out? There is a definite glimpse of spring in the garden with many crocuses and snowdrops providing a wonderful display. Matthew’s gospel at 6:29 reminds us quite clearly the splendour of God’s Glory when it says, “Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.”

Speaking of splendour, wasn’t it great at our second Messy Church earlier in the month to see all those children and parents. The attendance was fantastic, it really was a terrific effort by parents and teachers from Holy Trinity School and our own congregation. Their hard work helped make it a great success as we reached out into the community.

St Hildeburgh’s being part and one with the community of Hoylake is so very important and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is so very important to be committed to growing the Kingdom and able to reach out into new areas. We are told in 1 Cor 9:17, “If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.”

 

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e are trusted to reach out into the community to spread the gospel bringing new people to hear the word of God through Messy Church and many other events. Living out the gospel begins with prayer which then results in action that has a lasting impact to those we minister to.

There are so many ways to build God’s kingdom – countless small ways. It is said that if you can’t feed one hundred hungry people, then just feed one. If we all did that, what an impact we can have together! Our lives as Christians are caught up in how we treat each other and especially the vulnerable in our community. Do we reach out to the vulnerable? I think we are making progress but we can never be complacent. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and look to the example of his teaching: feed the poor, care for the sick and comfort those who mourn.

It is really encouraging to see how our Bacon Butties Brunch is gathering momentum. Seeing new people attend really makes this an outreach worth being part of. This is helping people in our community to see that the Church is not just a building used on a Sunday. It is very important that we are able to come and welcome new people who attend. It is where we can offer warm hospitality, something St Hildeburgh’s is gaining a good reputation for. So, please, if you find that you are not too busy on Tuesday mornings between 10.30am and 12noon, come along and have a chat and be part of a refreshing outreach.

 

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n another matter, it is thanks to a great deal of hard work of all who attend our church that we are able for the first time, to have a fully functioning office in the Church Centre, open two days a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12.30pm, and it is with grateful thanks that Jill Rawcliffe will be in charge of these new arrangements. I am sure that I speak for everyone, that we will offer our support in any way we can and a big thank-you to Jill for taking on this new responsibility.

I am sure you will keep Jill in your prayers as she takes on this new role. Prayers are the powerhouse of all we achieve here at St Hildeburgh’s, and I feel it is fitting to end this short letter with words from Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.”

Your friend,

Rev’d Paul

1 March 2015