LETTER FROM REVD LOUISEDear Friends,Thank you to all who came along to support our ‘Singing for the Soul’ Community Choir concert in June. It was a great success so, congratulations to Sandra, Helen and all the choir. The following weekend, Karen and Alan welcomed us to their fabulous garden and we all ate far too much cake. This was followed by a very moving Songs of Praise. Various church members shared something of their personal stories and we enjoyed singing songs and hymns to God. As we said goodbye to Deji and Helen, we presented them with a gift and card and thanked them for all they have been to us in the past 18 months. Thank you to all who contributed to the collection for them.If you enjoy singing and a picnic, pack some food and a rug and come along to a musical Messy Church at St Peter’s on July 13th at 3.30pm. We will have community singing for all and we invite you to do a ‘turn’! Den and her friends’ ukuleles will be making an appearance. Can you sing or play an instrument? Why not help to entertain us? Please contact me in advance so we can plan the afternoon. As the end of term looms, we send our best wishes to those who work in schools… you’re nearly there! And we keep in our prayers children and young people moving on from their existing schools.On July 5th a coachload of people from churches across Southend, will make its way to Bradwell on Sea for the annual Bradwell Pilgrimage. I’m thrilled that so many have decided to attend. Bradwell is the place on the Essex coast where Cedd, a monk from Northumbria, arrived as a missionary and built a chapel in about 660AD. The chapel is still there, perched on the edge of the salt marsh. It’s a very special place both in terms of the history of Christianity in Essex but also in its sense of spirituality and peace. The chapel is a large, simple building but which holds a sense of God’s presence. If you have never been there, it’s worth a day trip!The Pilgrimage itself is basically a service with Christians of all denominations, from all over Essex in Bradwell village, a 2 mile walk to the Chapel, another service, a picnic, a closing act of worship and a two mile walk back to the village. In many respects it’s very simple and quite understated. But there is something beautiful about sharing with many others in worship and walking and company. God is there in all the aspects of the day and I anticipate arriving home tired but reenergised in faith and trust.Pilgrimage and journey are images sometimes a bit overused in our world. (Think, ‘Strictly journey’!). But it’s an image that makes sense to us. In life we move from birth to death through many stages, places, times and seasons. A physical pilgrimage such as the journey to Bradwell, gives us chance to reflect and remind ourselves that, just as we have the company of family, friends and fellow Christians in life, so also God walks along beside us.Recently, for a treat, Lizzy and I took my parents to Brentwood where we used to live. We drove past their old homes, the schools they and I attended and the church they were married in and baptised. We had a picnic… in the churchyard, and then wandered around remembering old friends and family. It was a real pilgrimage, bittersweet and lovely. In fact, my daughter was so inspired by this we then spent her birthday, roaming around east London where we lived for the first year of her life. Again, it was interesting, moving and evoked all sorts of memories.Of course, we can’t all go on a physical Pilgrimage. Physical frailty or caring or work commitments can make it impossible. Does that mean we can’t benefit from a Pilgrimage?Well, we probably all have old photos in our homes. Maybe dig some out and notice the life you have had, the good bits and the struggles. Hunt out a photo of your childhood home and remember when you first heard about God, or love. Dig out your old Sunday School prizes or first Bible. Where were you when you began to realise that God is real and that he walks along beside us? Maybe note down what God has been doing in your life recently, the things you have been learning, the prayers he has answered ‘yes’ to, as well as those times he seems to have said ‘no’ or ‘wait’.Have you lost some of your energy, faith and trust? Then maybe remind yourself of all that has been and all the blessings and struggles of this life. Remind yourself of all that God has been to you, all he has done for you.And if you have not really tried faith, if it all feels like something that other people do, then try church, open a Bible, talk to God even if you don’t know much about him. Ask him to walk with you in your life’s journey and set your heart to find him.The 23rd Psalm is one of the best-known parts of the Bible. This version is from the Good News Bible. I’ve used this particular version as it is a bit different and may make us read the psalm as though for the first time. It’s beautiful and true and I commend it to you for your life’s journey.Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. 3 He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised. 4 Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.5 You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honoured guest and fill my cup to the brim. 6 I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.God bless you, Louise.x
PARENTS’ ZOOM CATCH-UPSome of our parents, whose children are under 16, value a monthly catch up with each other, followed by a short time of prayer. To save finding baby sitters, we meet via Zoom!Our next catch-up will be on Wednesday July 23rd 8.30-9.30pm. If you are interested, please contact Louise for the zoom link. revlwilliams@aol.comYPZG YOUNG PEOPLE’S ZOOM GROUPOur young people (final term of year 5 upwards) meet about once a fortnight on zoom to learn about faith, share thoughts and prayers: it’s really enjoyableWe will meet from 7-8pm on Wednesday July 9th & 23rd . If your young person would like to join in, please contact Louise for the zoom link. revlwilliams@aol.com
