Thought for the Week: New Beginnings - 14th August 2026

Two weeks ago, when I wrote the thought for the week, I focused on the visibility of God and our role in it. This week I ask you to look to the future as a new community of churches, as we prepare for a new pattern of services to meet the needs of our differing communities. It is important as we do this that we look outwardly as a church into the communities we serve, and I open with a passage from

Philippians 3:13-14: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

As I reflected on this passage, I noticed how this encourages letting go of the past and moving forward with purpose and this for me was very much the message I want to convey in this letter.

I remember very early on in my managerial career using the phrase ‘at … we did it like this’ and often hearing at other times (and probably saying it myself) ‘we’ve always done it this way’. Where would we be in the world if this was the status quo? No motor cars; no electricity; no internet. But more importantly, where would we be if that had been the approach Jesus had taken?

Jesus was sent by God to change the world, Jesus came to change the world and Jesus changed the world. Why then do we resist change so much? I am as guilty as you, the reader. I want things to be as they always were. I like consistency, I like predictability, I like to know where I am. However, I know God wants me to do different, and so I face that difference head on. I may not like it, I may not want it and at times there may be fear and dread in my mind, but I truly believe that Jesus is with me on that road and is my ‘rod and staff’.

From the beginning of September, we have a new pattern of worship for our community of churches (I am no longer referring to us as a group) aimed at ensuring that there is a service for everyone somewhere in one of our Communities. Each Sunday there will be at least one Holy Communion Service at 9am and 10.30am in one of our Churches, and Oasis will continue to rotate around the Churches as previously. There will also be a new communion service at St Paul’s, Colton on a monthly basis. St John’s, Acaster Selby will continue to host Evensong on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Holy Trinity, Acaster Malbis and All Saints, Appleton Roebuck will continue their shared lay-lead service on the second Sunday. And, of course, we must not forget our wonderful Messy Church which will continue as usual.

I therefore commend you as our Church Family and our Church Community to support these services and build the Kingdom. Amen

Alan (LLM)