May is upon us and we are heading into my first summer with you all. It was great to get a photo in the sun the other Sunday, and so encouraging to see our church as one that is genuinely all ages - a real family.
With the APCM coming up I've been reflecting on the last 6 months and there is so much we can be thankful for. St James is alive and well, as that photo shows. That's thanks to the grace of God, and to all the amazing ways you have been willing to love and serve each other.
I'm so thankful for you!
Looking forward to the rest of 2026, my prayer is that we'd be continuing to seek God's wisdom to discern what it means to be serving our parish - welcoming all ages and being that truly family church we are already becoming.
We still have a hill to climb. "One swallow does not a summer make" as Aristotle said. St James will need to be paying £80,000 a year in parish share by 2031 if we want to keep a full time vicar. That means doubling our contribution, no small challenge!
We also mourn the passing of a number of our dearly loved members, committing them into the hands of their merciful redeemer confident of the Easter promise of the resurrection to eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
The need to grow, in our love for God, our love for each other, and in numbers, continues to be important. Please pray that we would all be willing to work for that growth in our own hearts and lives, and be ready to welcome a new season for our church. We believe that God can do more than all we can ask for or imagine. He is already doing that among us. One swallow may not a summer make, but it's a great start.
There'll be more to say at the APCM on May 17th, do come along if you can.
Every blessing,
Jack
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