Hennie’s
Blog September 2014
Welcome back
to St. Mark’s after the summer break. I hope and pray that you all, from the
youngest to the eldest, have had some time, to step back from the busy world we
live in, and been able to find refreshment, relaxation and restoration, however
that has manifested in your personal, and family life.
At the
beginning of August I always think this is the month to clear up my study; find
time to reflect, pray, read, and have space for spiritual growth, healing and
transformation in my own personal life.
Why then does August suddenly seem the shortest month of the year! My study is still not as tidy as it should
be. I have not had as much time as I would have desired for to reflect, pray,
and read, but I do still feel that I am
reaping the fruit from engaging in the 30 Day Ignatius spiritual exercises
where there was plenty of time for spiritual growth, healing, and I hope some
transformation – they are not called spiritual exercises for nothing! It has
been hard work, and for that, in a paradoxical way, I praise God!
The two
books I did manage to read were ‘Courageous Leadership’ by Bill Hybels (a
re-read), which has been challenging, and helpful. Two Chapters which caught my
attention this time round were entitled ‘A Leader’s Prayer – God, mold and
shape me to my full leadership potential’, and ‘The Leader’s Pathway, looking
at the different ways leaders walk with God. Just as different leaders have
many different personalities and combinations of gifts, so they have many
different spiritual pathways. Bill Hybels signposts the reader to another book
called ,’Sacred Pathways’, by Gary
Thomas, which I have just ordered, and am looking forward to going deeper into
this area. It may well be something that
as a church we could reflect on during Lent 2015?
The other
book is called ‘Stretched for Greater
Glory’ – what to expect from the Spiritual Exercises’ by George Aschenbrenner,
S.J. A very different book from
‘Courageous Leadership’, but dovetailing into one’s spiritual pathways –
choosing and loving always for God’s glory, and in one’s daily life, gratefully
serving God in all things.
During
August at St. Mark’s in our joint All Age services we celebrated God’s generous
provision, trustworthiness, love, different gifts, and even acknowledged that
one can celebrate that following Jesus isn’t always easy! The feedback I have
received from others is that this August truly has been a celebration, with the
family of St. Mark’s really engaging with the teaching, and enjoying fellowship
with one another. Last Sunday 31st August some of us enjoyed food
and friendship together in Westminster Park, and the sun shone down upon us! It
was a good opportunity to meet others, and a wonderful time was had by those of
every age as they played numerous different games. I gather some were still enjoying themselves
gone 6pm! Another summer celebration was
most definitely Sandiley Camp, and the testimonies of the young people have
been extremely powerful. Thank you to all who were involved in making Camp
happen, those who helped on it, and to every young person who went – God
touched you, and I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work powerfully
in your lives.
As we now
begin to look towards the Autumn we move into a new season, and changes occur,
shorter days, and change of colours; and so we too should be looking forward to
change. Change in our own lives, in the life of St. Mark’s, and we pray for
change in many parts of the world today – God continually moves and transforms!
As part of our on-going change and
transformation we will be looking at Jesus’ teaching – his sermon on the mount,
this autumn, as we continue to grow up in our discipleship becoming a church of
worshipping, serving, growing and transforming disciples. Another resource to help us to grow in our
discipleship will be the Pilgrim Course which I am also excited about and will
be starting on 8th October – look in September ReMarks for more
information.
Lastly, can
I encourage you all to join us for our Joint service on Sunday 21st
September at 10 am where we have the opportunity to celebrate our diverse
ministries and re-affirm our Christian faith.
I shall also be sharing with you what I feel God is calling of us as a
church at St. Mark’s as we move into this new season of worship, discipleship,
evangelism and mission.
September
blessings,
Hennie
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