11th January 2026

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Vicar Geoff

Transformed

That is the word for the ABC Churches in 2026. In reality, it was the Greek word μεταμορφόω pronounced metamorphoo, from which we get the English word literally or figuratively "metamorphose". I don’t usually get into the Greek, it was never a strong subject for me, so it was a real struggle for me to receive the word from God. But he usually surprises me! I find it quite significant that last year’s word was ‘new’ and this year ‘transform’ which of course bears many similarities and it got me thinking about how God transforms us into a new creation in Christ as we allow Him to change, mould and reform us to be more like Him. Ultimately that is what a desire to become more like Him does. But I admit that He probably finds that a real struggle. I’m far from perfect and have my struggles, but trust that God is in the process of transforming me, through experiences and challenges, times when I let others or myself down. But that is the whole point. When we come to Jesus He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but works in progress. I certainly am that.

Transformed isn’t just about us as individuals though. It is about our churches and our society, our villages and our nation. We all need to be transformed. Take our village churches. We often moan that more people don’t come to our services, our congregations are small, we have no children. But is that really true. For the second year running I have seen a large number of children and families coming to the Christmas events which are specifically curated for them. Christingles and Crib Services all attracted many families. The Living Nativity in a barn on a farm in Askham Bryan was the best attendance yet, with over 100 adults and children.

That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a place for more traditional worship. In fact, a recent Bible Society survey discovered that there is an increase in young people seeking traditional worship opportunities such as Choral Evensong. But transformation is what will happen across our churches, as we become more open to the movement of Holy Spirit and respond to the needs of the communities we serve.

The Word for 2026 was revealed to me in the context of Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We are called, not to fit in with the culture we find ourselves in, without giving it any thought, but to fix our sight on God and take notice of what He is up to. One of my favourite phrases is “God is unchanging, but a God of change”. As we head into 2026 may we seek God for His call upon our churches and be prepared to transform what we do, to reach more people for Jesus.