Skip to main content

Message from the Ministry Team

Image
By

-->
Dear friends,

The end of June saw me on a retreat at the Briery in Ilkley. It was led by Father Daniel O'Leary and the title was "The Religious Mind or the Broken Heart". Daniel was focusing on how we can observe our religious rituals to the limit, and feel we have got it right, or we can  accept our brokenness and our need of God's continued help in our lives. It's one thing to look at the Pharisees and say they got it wrong, but we too need to make sure we are not letting self-reliance, and a sense of self-righteousness, creep in.

We find it hard to simply accept God's gifts to us. We tend to want to do something to earn them, or to prove that we've changed. To go on accepting makes us feel dependent, yet that is what we are, and so it is best to humbly acknowledge that we are, instead of trying to earn our way. When we can simply accept, we can let go of the burden of trying to please, and begin to learn to be ourselves. That is what God wants of us, to be the best we can be. God does not want me to be another John Wesley, another Julian of Norwich or even another Pope Francis. He wants me to be the best Christine that I can be, to discover my gifts and use them to serve him and others, and in serving to grow in who I am, so that my service fulfils me as well as those around me. 

So I would like to invite you to the Circuit Quiet Day on Saturday 19 August at Northcliffe. Come to be refreshed, to talk to God and to listen to God, and to allow God to reassure you of his love which is poured out upon you. Come and receive without pressure to give, to do, to perform.

It's a chance to hear God and have enough space to let his words settle in, and to enjoy his love, that asks nothing of you but that you come as yourself and be who you are. Such meetings can change our lives, if we come with open hearts. Will you?

With love

Christine
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

By
Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Listening Lent

By
Wednesday 22 February to Tuesday 3 April 2012 in the Yurt, Bradford Cathedral A Lenten programme of listening events organised by Touchstone and Bradford Cathedral, two Christian communities in Bradford City Centre working together to develop a ministry of Christian Listening. Full details (pdf)
Post a Comment
Read more

Wrose Buddies - A wonderful success story at Wrose Methodist Church

By
Approached by the Halle Project in 2012 to see if we would be interested in setting up a Well Being Cafe, the church was excited at the prospect of setting up a monthly session for those who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's, for their carers, for the lonely and housebound. Jean and John Watmough worked in conjunction with Carol at halle and put together a group who would provide once a month a haven for those with particular need. For various reasons it could not be called a Well Being Cafe, and so the name "Wrose buddies" was born. Carol organises taxis to bring people to the church hall once a month, lays on the entertainment, the music, a speaker, food. From the start a charge of £3 per person and a voluntary payment of £1 per strip for the raffle was asked for and willingly given. a group of volunteers was formed and meets once a month before the session to make preparations so that those attending have an afternoon to remember. At first numbers were reaching 20...
Post a Comment
Read more