DOCSLIB.ORG

Future Church: What Is the Spirit Saying? the Church Has Served in Hitherto Unimagined Ways the Spirit Is a Deposit Guaranteeing What Is to Come

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Future Church: What Is the Spirit Saying? the Church Has Served in Hitherto Unimagined Ways the Spirit Is a Deposit Guaranteeing What Is to Come Autumn Newsletter 2020 Future Church: what is the Spirit saying? The church has served in hitherto unimagined ways The Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. throughout the pandemic, feeding the hungry, comforting The Spirit is a witness and a prophetic sign of a different the lost and lonely, in ways we previously treated with place. The Spirit is strength and comfort for the now. caution. I have had a recurring prayerful daydream in these Kingdom life is not escapism, it is an invasive and days of Rublev’s Icon (that picture of the Trinity seated at uncomfortable rescue mission. So, don’t expect the Spirit a table) springing to life. In my imagining God laments our to speak easy words to the church, but do allow yourself to mere talk about ‘reimagining ministry’ to focus beyond be deeply comforted as God works among us even in tough our own issues; maybe their reimagining might be more times. Don’t expect a focus only, even mainly, on us, but do fruitful. I pray that this newsletter eavesdrops on that find strength, joy, and purpose as we are swept up and out conversation, so we can join in. as part of Kingdom life. I think I am becoming aware of several themes that the “ Kingdom life is not escapism, it is an invasive Spirit is inviting us into. Among these is a call to inhabit and uncomfortable rescue misson.” and understand exile for the sake of the lost and the Kingdom. And dare to expect that the gifts we need will be given Bear with me; this is massive. The Bible comprises two when we need them and not merely when we make time covenants: in the first (the Old Testament) God provides for them. This shapes you as one who yearns to step onto land, heritage, security, and law. The repeated pattern the waves as we embrace our exilic call for the sake of the is people abandoning Him, being exiled, repenting, and lost and the coming of the kingdom. This is our call, and being restored. In the second covenant Christ reverses God’s loving mission. And He is always able. this pattern. He leaves glory for ‘our’ world, a chosen exilic space, for our repentance. Through His life, death, and resurrection we find life in the Kingdom of God. And our call as followers is to live “as aliens and strangers” in the world, for now, that others might hear Good News, repent, and find life in Christ. We deliberately inhabit exile for this purpose until such time as we are called home for the sake of the Kingdom of God. There’s loads more I could say; this changes the way we relate, pray, worship, and think of ourselves and others. Above all it keeps us focused on the main task of the Kingdom. We are called to live in uncomfortable places The Rt Revd Mark Tanner ReSource’s new Patron and times in order that the lost might hear, liberty Page Index might be proclaimed, salvation might be found, and the Spirit given. Read the New Testament and notice 2 Future Church: ReSource Ministry both why the Spirit is given and that the Spirit is poured 3 Future Church: called to a certain hope out when disciples follow Christ into the most uncomfortable of places. 4 Future Church: relational and contextual 5 Future Church: keeping up with the Spirit 6 Changing Times 7 Introducing ReSource Ministers 8 News Items www.resource-arm.net [email protected] 01952 371300 Autumn Newsletter 2020 2 Future Church: ReSource Ministry New Patron We hear the voices of two young church leaders for whom, God-willing, future-church will be the reality that they will serve beyond their recent ordinations. Stephen Dinsmore brings us a voice from the overseas church. We are also delighted that Bishop Mark Tanner, the new Bishop of Chester, has not only accepted an invitation to be ReSource’s new Patron, but has contributed an article in which he explores what it means not only for Jesus, but for those who follow Him, to live in a “chosen exilic space” for the sake of the world. Church is changing. It has had to change, beyond In welcoming +Mark to his new role, +John Holbrook the Chair recognition even, during the days of the lockdown. And of our Trustees, says “Bishop Mark is a Christian leader it will continue to look different to the old-normal as the of spiritual passion, deep wisdom and real vision. We are restrictions begin to loosen and we start to gather again, thrilled to welcome him as our Patron.” Indeed, we are. socially distanced, wearing our masks and singing under Elsewhere in the Newsletter you will catch sight of how our breath. How strange it feels, and yet how liberating ReSource is equipping itself to serve the church in all its to be doing something different in the way we worship normals and transitions. Whatever future-church looks and the way that we relate to each other. like, it must be Spirit-shaped and Spirit-gifted and Spirit- But what of church beyond the transition, however long equipped and Spirit-filled, and we look forward to playing that might be? Some are starting to speak about a new- our part in the church’s renewal, discipleship and mission normal, in which the church is permanently re-formed for in the power of the Spirit, now, and in the years to come. life and mission, pruned of some of its branches, gathering Kevin Roberts, Director of ReSource into its life some of the things we have discovered during the pandemic and want to carry with us into the future. Online Ministry Certainly, we can’t begin to think that pruned branches can be grafted back into church as though nothing has ReSource’s ministry continues in a variety of ways during the current crisis. happened. We can’t simply reconstruct the old-normal. That would be both folly, and unfaithful to the work God Companionship support for church leaders has been doing with us in recent months. in our Alongside scheme ReSource’s portfolio of events by Zoom No-normal? any of our events delivered online But does new-normal do it? Is future-church simply a new set of permanents; a new set of processes and ways A Sanctuary Day for our Times - processing the experience of a pandemic of doing things that will in time become as familiar and four sessions for personal or group use. undemanding for us as the old-normal? Are we really just going to swap one normal for another? Or might there be The Resources Hub materials for individuals and groups no-normal? Could it be that we re-discover something of the adventure of church and discipleship that never settles, Weekly ReSource Blog that follows the One who is the Way, and that shapes itself thoughtful, inspirational pieces every Monday in a myriad of ways as we put the call to be mission-moulded Webinars ahead of any normal we might prefer for ourselves? monthly events on renewal themes Future-church is the theme that connects a number of the Anticipating a day when we are free to meet again articles this Newsletter, as we ask what the Spirit is saying face to face please book ahead for a ReSource event in 2021 through the office or [email protected] to the churches for life beyond the lockdown. www.resource-arm.net [email protected] 01952 371300 Autumn Newsletter 2020 3 Future Church: called to a certain hope These last few months have highlighted the the strong resurrected Jesus that impermanence of so many things that we have taken for will be our guide into the future- granted in life and in the church. From his perspective as church and on whom we can a recently ordained Curate, preparing to work at Preston depend when everything else is Minster, Andy Dykes finds hope for the future of the evaporating. The strength of Jesus church in the enduring strength of the risen Jesus. exposes the fragility of a fading In 1955 a 47-year-old designer called Alex Lewyt heralded a world. His strong presence passes new age of technology with these words: “Nuclear-powered easily through the weakness of our vacuum cleaners will probably be a reality within ten years.” present situations. The key for the If an expert designer, specialising in vacuum cleaners, can future-church then is to not make be so outlandishly wrong about the future of the hoover, the same mistake I did. We must perhaps I should be careful about commenting on the future know what is solid and what is not. of the church. But where would be the fun in that? The Church that Jesus calls us to Walking near our flat in London, it’s impossible not to I think the future-church, that is the Church that Jesus calls be struck by the enormity of the change that has taken us to, will be known by three things. It’s perhaps fitting that place since March. The elbow bump is the new handshake, they are the three enduring things from 1 Corinthians 13. epidemiologists the new celebrities and designer face masks are on all our Christmas lists. But as well as ushering in the The future-church will be known for Faith. When defeat has ‘new’, the change has exposed the ‘old’. It has shown that so been snatched from the jaws of victory, when confusion has many things we took to be solid and dependable are in fact overtaken truth, when we are unpopular and unattractive, fragile and fleeting.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mark Wroe Named Next Bishop of Berwick
    INSIDE: November 2020 Page 3 Fighting child poverty Page 4 Poms poms everywhere! Page 5 A service for our pets! Page 6 Councils support our churches Page 7&8 2020 Ordinations Page 9 Bishop Mark welcomed to Chester Mark Wroe named next Bishop of Berwick HE Venerable Mark Wroe, first Bishop of Berwick since 1572 across our region concerned for mility and courage.” currently Archdeacon of when he was appointed in 2016. The Venerable Mark Wroe said: loved ones and livelihoods, yet the Northumberland, is the “It’s an extraordinary privilege to Church has such deep hope and Mark will be ordained and con- next Suffragan Bishop of Mark’s appointment was an- be called to be the next Bishop of joy in Jesus Christ to offer. I look secrated a bishop by the Archbish- BerwickT in the Diocese of Newcas- nounced at Berwick Town Hall by Berwick and to serve God along- forward to working with all those op of York, Stephen Cottrell in a tle. the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right side Bishop Christine in Newcas- in our communities, who seek to service early next year. Reverend Christine Hardman, fol- tle Diocese. I’m very aware that work together for a more compas- He succeeds the Right Reverend lowing confirmation of approval these are challenging and disori- sionate society, and to sharing our ■ For more, go to page 3 or visit Mark Tanner who had been the from the Queen. entating times, with many people hope and faith in Christ with hu- https://bit.ly/3dR0d4i SEE OUR ORDINATIONS PICTURE SPECIAL ON PAGES 7 AND 8 2 generous engaged open Bishop’s Diary November This is not a full list of the Bishop’s engagements but includes the items TOWARDS A we think might be of particular interest to you.
    [Show full text]
  • A Celebration of Ministry with the Enthronement of the Rt Revd Mark Tanner As the 41St Bishop of Chester
    A Celebration of Ministry with the Enthronement of The Rt Revd Mark Tanner as the 41st Bishop of Chester Saturday 26th June at 2.00pm 1 Welcome from Tim Stratford, Dean of Chester A very warm welcome to Chester Cathedral on this significant day in the life of the Church of God and Diocese of Chester. It seems to have taken a long time coming. There has been a long process of discernment and selection which led up to the announcement that Bishop Mark Tanner, then Bishop of Berwick, was to be the forty-first and next Bishop of Chester. This included consultations in communities across the diocese and meetings of the Crown Nominations Commission in which the diocese was represented. Following an announcement made by 10 Downing Street, the College of Canons of this Cathedral met and unanimously elected him. Bishop Mark was confirmed as the Bishop of Chester during online proceedings presided over by the Archbishop of York on Wednesday 15th July last year. At the time we were still in the midst of the first coronavirus lockdown. Archbishop Stephen’s own confirmation had only been completed the week before, and he was still unable to move to York from Chelmsford Diocese. During these proceedings Archbishop Stephen laid a charge on Bishop Mark which is included in these pages. Bishop Mark picked up the reins here in Chester following an innovative “Crozier Service” on 20th September that was created to mark the beginning of his ministry in these unusual times. He was unable formally to occupy the Bishop’s Seat, known as the Cathedra, in the Cathedral Quire until paying homage to Her Majesty the Queen.
    [Show full text]
  • Living the Mission of Jesus
    APCM | 2016 Living the mission of Jesus Table of Contents Section 1: Agendas and Minutes Agenda for 2016 Vestry Meeting ........................................................................................... 5 Minutes of 2015 Vestry Meeting ........................................................................................... 5 Agenda for 2016 Annual Parochial Church Meeting ............................................................. 7 Minutes of 2015 Annual Parochial Church Meeting ........................................................... 10 Motions for 2016 Annual Parochial Church Meeting .......................................................... 15 Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 ................................................................... 17 Section 2: Annual Reports Vicar’s Foreword ................................................................................................................... 35 Administration and Financial Churchwarden ....................................................................................................................... 37 Treasurer ............................................................................................................................... 37 Church Centre Maintenance/Grounds ................................................................................ 39 Safeguarding .......................................................................................................................... 40 Deanery Synod .....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • St. George's United Reformed Church Little Sutton
    St. George’s United Reformed Church Little Sutton 3rd & 10th July 2020 Welcome to Virtual St George’s News Sheet Thankfulness The dwarf sunflowers planted at St. George’s are just starting to open. At a time when there is still much that worries us all, it may help to pause and “count our blessings”, and enjoy what we can. A simple way to start is to read through Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd ...”, or the hymn “Now thank we all our God ...” Two weeks The editors are having a brief rest to catch up with other stuff, so this news sheet covers two weeks. The next edition should appear on 17th July. Local Church Leader News Revd Jacky Embrey will be moving on later this year from serving as Moderator of the Mersey Synod of the URC – Jacky will be joining a church partnership in the Greater Manchester area. Thank you, Jacky, and best wishes for the future. The Church of England will be welcoming a new Bishop of Chester later this year. Revd Mark Tanner, who started ministry as a curate in Upton, Wirral, will be moving from his current role as Bishop of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Plans for St George’s From 13th June, places of worship were allowed to open for private prayer with strict precautions. From 4th July, communal worship will again be permitted, but further precautions would be needed. Some local churches have opened for private prayer on a limited basis; some will be opening soon for a different form of public worship.
    [Show full text]
  • In Loving Memory of All the Special People We Have Looked After During 2020
    In Loving Memory of all the special people we have looked after during 2020 Please Note: This list features the names of the people who have received care at Charlton Park Crematorium. This includes all those with cremations at Charlton Park Crematorium in 2020 and everyone whom Pure Cremation has been instructed to look after between January 1st and December 22nd, with a cremation date booked up to December 31st. If your loved one’s cremation date is after December 31st please be assured that they are still in our thoughts and will be featured in the Christmas Memorial Service 2021. The list is in alphabetical order of first names to make it as easy as possible for you to find your loved one’s entry which consists of their full legal name as it appears in our records.
    [Show full text]
  • Church Together Apart @Stmikesmacclesfield
    ISSUE 19 26 JULY 2020 ST MIKE’S NEWS A newsletter brought to you during Covid-19 Church Together Apart @stmikesmacclesfield www.stmichaels-macclesfield.org.uk As a church community we’ve been on quite a journey these past 4 months haven’t we? So much has changed! Please can I ask you to use these next couple of weeks or so to take stock of church life and let me know how things are for you? Imagine a set of traffic lights: Red: What might God want us to stop doing? Some activities have necessarily stopped, and you may be relieved! Perhaps with the building being closed you now recognise you were previously doing something more because it was ‘a job to be One of the things I enjoyed about total lockdown was the done’ rather than because it was something you much quieter environment: no planes in the sky, and particularly felt called to do. there were so few vehicles on our road that it felt more Additionally, there have been some recent like a country lane! Overall life seemed to slow down. initiatives which, however welcome they’ve been, may have been right for during lockdown only but But now things have ramped up again, including the pace which God would no longer want us to maintain of life. Before, when passing others on our permitted daily into the long-term future. exercise, we’d acknowledge the mutual desire to keep each other safe through social distancing. Now, sadly, Amber: What might God want us to be prepared there’s more anxiety, less eye-contact and fewer smiles.
    [Show full text]
  • Wednesday, April 1
    Diocesan Cycle of Prayer April – June, 2019 Monday, April 1 - F.D. Maurice ANGLICAN CYCLE: Mbeere (Kenya) The Rt Revd Moses Masamba Nthukah; Wellington (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia) The Rt Revd Justin Duckworth, The Rt Revd Eleanor Sanderson (Assistant Bishop); Idah (Nigeria) The Rt Revd Joseph Musa DIOCESAN CYCLE: J. Victor Sheldon, Palm Cost, FL, ordination to the Priesthood Tuesday, April 2 - James Lloyd Breck ANGLICAN CYCLE: Mbhashe (Southern Africa) The Rt Revd Elliot Williams; Wernyol (South Sudan) The Rt Revd Gabriel Kuol Garang DIOCESAN CYCLE: Give us insight, Lord, to understand and feel as others feel. Wednesday, April 3 - Richard of Chichester ANGLICAN CYCLE: Meath & Kildare (Ireland) The Most Revd Patricia Louise Storey; West Ankole (Uganda) The Rt Revd Johnson Twinomujuni; West Buganda The Rt Revd Henry Katumba-Tamale DIOCESAN CYCLE: Show us your mercy, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Thursday, April 4 - ANGLICAN CYCLE: Medak (South India) The Rt Revd A.C. Solomon Raj; West Lango (Uganda) The Rt Revd Alfred Acur Okodi DIOCESAN CYCLE: Jesus, illuminate and brighten the entire world. Friday, April 5 ANGLICAN CYCLE: Melbourne (Australia) The Most Revd Philip Leslie Freier (Primate); The Rt Revd Paul Barker, Assistant, The Rt Revd Dr Bradly Billings, Assistant, The Rt Revd Kate Prowd, Assistant, The Rt Revd Genieve Blackwell, Assistant; West Missouri (The Episcopal Church) The Rt Revd Martin Field DIOCESAN CYCLE: Birthday of The Venerable Shawn W. Denney, Springfield; Birthday of Jan, wife of The Rev. Dr. Ralph N. McMichael, St. Louis. Saturday, April 6 ANGLICAN CYCLE: Meru (Kenya) The Rt Revd Charles Mwendwa; West Malaysia (South East Asia) The Most Revd Ng Moon Hing (Primate); The Rt Revd Charles Samuel, The Rt Revd Jayson Selvaraj; Idaho (The Episcopal Church) The Rt Revd Brian Thom DIOCESAN CYCLE: Holy Spirit give us hearts to understand.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Mary's, Acton Dates & News July 2021
    St. Mary's, Acton Dates & News July 2021 Public worship has now resumed and many services are also being held on Zoom, WhatsApp and via e-mailed resources for the time being. Please be aware that changes may, regrettably, need to be made depending on the Covid-19 infection rate. Services in the Cross Country Parishes (subject to change if Covid restrictions change) Church Acton Wettenhall Worleston Minshull 4th 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am No Service July Communion Service of the Morning Prayer Word 11th 8.00am 11.00am 11.00am 9.30am July Communion Café Church Communion Communion 11.00am Morning Prayer 18th TBA 11.00am 11.00am No Service July Messy Church Communion All Age 5.00pm Evensong 25th 8.00am 11.00am 6.30pm 9.30am July Communion Messy Church Communion Morning Prayer 11.00am Morning Prayer To access worship via WhatsApp you need a smart phone with WhatsApp installed. You can join the Cross Country Parishes WhatsApp by contacting Chris Pope (07771 684000) If you would like to receive SMS Text Messages about Services and Activities at St. Mary's please send a message, including your name, to 07486 020084 and we will add you to the circulation list. As well as a way of receiving reminders, this is the fastest way of letting you know if any last minute changes to worship have to be made. Bible Readings First Reading Second Reading Psalm 4th Ezekiel 2: 1–5 Mark 6: 1-13 Psalm 123 July 11th Amos 7: 7–15 Mark 6: 14-29 Psalm 85: 8-end July 18th Jeremiah 2: 1–6 Mark 6: 30–34, 53-end Psalm 23 July 25th 2 Kings 4: 42-end John 6: 1-21 Psalm 145: 10-19 July High Hopes and Disappointments As I was thinking what to write, and enjoying the June sunshine shining into my study, I wondered how long it would be before someone complained they were too warm ..
    [Show full text]
  • Anglican Cycle of Prayer
    Anglican Cycle of Prayer Sunday 01-Jan-2017 Psalm: 96: 1,11-end Phil. 1: 12-18a Kolhapur - (North India) The Rt Revd Bathuel Tiwade Monday 02-Jan-2017 Psalm: 97: 1,8-end Isa. 59: 1-15a Kondoa - (Tanzania) The Rt Revd Given Gaula Tuesday 03-Jan-2017 Psalm: 100 Isa. 59: 15b-21 Kongor - (Upper Nile, Sudan) The Rt Revd Gabriel Thuch Agoth Wednesday 04-Jan-2017 Psalm: 149: 1-5 Phil 1: 18b-26 Kontagora - (Lokoja, Nigeria) The Rt Revd Jonah Ibrahim Thursday 05-Jan-2017 Psalm: 9:1-11 Isa 33:13-17 Kootenay - (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada) The Most Revd John Elswood Privett Friday 06-Jan-2017 Epiphany Psalm: 72: 1-8 Titus 1: 1-9 O God, who revealed your only Son to the Gentiles by the leading of a star, mercifully grant theat we, who know you now by faith, may after this life enjoy the splendour of your gracious Godhead, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Saturday 07-Jan-2017 Psalm: 72: 1,10-14 Titus 2 Kubwa - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Revd Duke Akamisoko Sunday 08-Jan-2017 Epiphany 1 Psalm: 111: 1-6 Eph. 2: 11-22 Kuching - (South East Asia) The Rt Revd Bolly Lapok Assistant Bishop of Kuching - (South East Asia) The Rt Revd Solomon Cheong Sung Voon Monday 09-Jan-2017 Psalm: 117 Eph. 3: 1-13 Kumi - (Uganda) The Rt Revd Thomas Irigei Tuesday 10-Jan-2017 Psalm: 111: 4-10 Eph. 4: 1-6 Kushtia - (Bangladesh) The Rt Revd Samuel Sunil Mankhin Wednesday 11-Jan-2017 Psalm: 105: 1-7 Eph.
    [Show full text]
  • Chester Diocesan News #Everydayfaith Across the Diocese of Chester | June 2020 Diocese of Chester Our Next Bishop
    Chester Diocesan News #EverydayFaith across the Diocese of Chester | June 2020 Diocese of Chester Our Next Bishop Welcome to the next Bishop of Chester Pg 2 What happened on 12 May? Pg 4 Mark Tanner named as next “Lindsay and Bishop of Chester I are really he 12 May was Chester where I was ordained, excited to quite a day for the and both of our children were diocese. The Rt born.” return to Revd Mark Tanner Mark said: “It is an honour was named by and a joy to be appointed Downing Street to the Diocese of Chester at Chester as Tthe next Bishop of Chester, such a key time in the life of succeeding Bishop Peter Forster our communities, nation, and where I was who retired in September 2019. Church. In Christ, God offers Bishop Mark is currently the a gift of hope beyond our ordained, Bishop of Berwick in the Diocese imagining; there is no greater joy of Newcastle, a post he has or privilege than enabling others occupied since 2016. to step into this freedom and and both of “It will be hard to say life, whether in deeply practical goodbye to the North East,” he service or beautiful wonder and our children said, “however, Lindsay and I worship. God is here for all.” are really excited to return to Bishop Mark and his wife, were born.” Lindsay, were introduced to the and Lindsay back to the Diocese of diocese online via a series of live- Chester. To be ordained deacon and streamed events. Members of the priest here and then to be called back public watched and participated via as bishop is a special gift of God.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Anglicansummer 2020 Established in 1879 As the Churchman
    v AUTUMN 2020 THE Global AnglicanSUMMER 2020 Established in 1879 as The Churchman IN THIS ISSUE Editorial Welcome to The Global Anglican Andrew Atherstone Why I Am Still an Anglican Peter Jensen Pastoral Theology Learning God: A Plea for Principled Theological Education Mark D. Thompson Equipping Today’s Bishops for Effective Ministry and Mission Samson M. Mwaluda The Role of Missionary Bishops in the Growth of the Church of Nigeria Foreman Nedison Biblical Studies Lingering Shame: An Exploration of Shame, Atonement and the Gospel Rosalind Clarke Inter-Church Relationships in Paul’s Epistles James T. Hughes Review Article Walking Together on the Way (ARCIC III) Chase R. Kuhn Book Reviews v REACH BUILD SEND A Pattern for Anglican Ministry What is gospel ministry all about? How can we maintain it for the long term? In this book, a group of evangelists, bishops, pastors, and theologians try to unpack what the Bible says about a sustainable pattern of ministry, with particular application to Anglican churches today. United in their conviction that God’s Spirit works through his word, they look both theologically and practically at how to reach out with the gospel, build up the church, and send out gospel workers for the next generation—without losing momentum. Contributors: Kirsty Birkett, Mark Burkill, Lee Gatiss, Rod Thomas, Glen Scrivener, Paul G. Williams, Paul A. Williams “Helpful, practical, full of biblical insight … this book feels like we’re eavesdropping on a lively conversation between a group of friends who are disciples, Bible
    [Show full text]
  • The Confirmation of Election of Mark Simon Austin Tanner As Bishop of Chester Order of Service
    The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York The Confirmation of Election of Mark Simon Austin Tanner as Bishop of Chester Wednesday 15 July 2020 at 11.00 am Welcome and Introduction The Archbishop of York says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and also with you. Welcome to this service of Prayer with the Confirmation of the Election of Mark Simon Austin Tanner as Bishop of Chester. We gather together in Christ during a time of uncertainty when many are suffering, many are fearful, and the foundations of our society have been shaken to their core by the ravages of the coronavirus. In faith, we meet in peace, and are upheld by the Spirit who even now intercedes for us. So, we join with the whole church in praying for all those who have been affected and continue to be affected by this pandemic, as Jesus teaches and enables us to keep on praying and not to lose heart. Into this world of challenge and change this service seeks to share the encouragement and peace we receive in Christ. A new ministry is begun: a joyful ministry of service and leadership, a faithful ministry of prayer and proclamation, a loving ministry which gathers the people of God in mission and nurtures them in hope. This ministry, which begins today in a digital environment, is earthed in the world that Christ came to save and seeks to engage with the rich breadth and variety of human community and experience.
    [Show full text]