Monthly Message - Nov 24

Dear Church Family,

 

I’m writing this message a week in advance (although it will be distributed for the first weekend in Nov) as I’m taking leave for the half-term.

 

By the time you read this we will have hosted the High Sheriff’s Legal Service and not one, but two light parties. I’m hoping that all of these events have gone well, and have blessed and served the wider community of Blandford, and Dorset. This is one of the main objectives of being the church of Jesus Christ in the world – to be a blessing. It’s so easy to gather together, batten down the hatches, and not interact with the wider world – but this is not what God calls us to do. This coming month we’ll be finishing off our series of “Surprise the World” by talking about being “Sent to Serve”. Our lives are supposed to overflow with God’s presence in such a way that it makes an impact on those around us. Literally for Jesus to be present in our homes, our streets, our social settings, our workplaces, and maybe even the church – i.e. wherever we find ourselves in our daily lives. That’s the vision behind all we are trying to do… to make disciples that make disciples. It’s what Jesus did, and what he commissions us to do.

 

As you are no doubt aware by now, we’re asking everyone who considers themselves to be a member of BFPC to prayerfully review their financial giving towards the life of the church. We’re calling this initiative “Giving for Growth”. In order for us to maintain and increase our ability to make an impact in the lives of church members and those who don’t yet know Jesus across our community, we need to increase our income by £2000/month. It’s heartening to say that £800/month has already been committed since we launched this appeal which is 40% of the way there. So thankyou to everyone who has gone away and prayerfully responded. We can’t however put this on the backburner, as we still have a way to go to ensure we’re financially sustainable for the next year. So can I encourage everyone who hasn’t responded yet, to prayerfully consider how the Lord is leading you to respond. A few points I’d like to make:

• I know some are concerned about the timing of this appeal, especially given that the winter fuel allowance has been cut. There is never an ideal time to make an appeal like this, but we do need to plan financially for next year and so it helps to know what funds will be coming in.
• Some of us may feel we don’t have anything more to give. I want to encourage us to have faith that God is able to provide for our needs, and will honour it when we give sacrificially to his purposes and plans. Malachi 3:10-11 says “Bring the full tithe (10% of income) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.”
• Any uplift in giving doesn’t have to be immediate. In filling out the pledge form at the back of the Giving in Growth Booklet, you are able to indicate that you intend to increase your giving or make a one-off gift at a point in the future.
• Please do consider using the Parish Giving Scheme as your mechanism for giving as it allows for very easy control for you and for the church. The scheme also allows for Gift Aid claims as part of the mechanism enabling the church to get greater value from your financial gift.
• We’re all in this together – it’s not down to one of two people to make up the whole need, but for each of us to give as the Lord leads us to, so we can collectively make up what’s needed to enable the church to thrive and flourish in its mission and ministry.

 

A few weeks ago a large number of us attended the first of two consultation workshops looking at what we need our building to enable. I know there were some very constructive conversations over the course of the evening, and although we weren’t all of the same accord, the discussions were healthy and respectful. It’s important to myself and to the process that everyone gets a chance to share their thoughts and opinions. The challenge of the evening was to then put ourselves in the shoes of others who might use the building and see what they might experience… and where the difficulties with it’s current configuration might be encountered. We hope that this exercise will give us some useful data to put forward the need to make changes to the building for future mission and growth. The heart of this work is about people, rather than a building. What is it we need to do to better enable us to serve our church community and the wider community. If the buildings we have restrict and prevent us from exercising our primary vocation as the people of God, then we need to make changes to them!

 

In a few days time on 5th Nov at 7pm, we’ll resume this conversation with the second of two workshops. The session will be different from the first, so please do come along even if you came to the last one. And also, if you were unable to attend the first you are also more than welcome. We encourage all to bring electronic devices with them as a lot of interaction and data gathering is through online tools (which we hadn’t quite realised for the first session). Just so you’re all aware, we’re also engaging with children and youth through the schools about the building, as well as wider community stakeholders such as the town council and the museums.

 

On Sunday we were privileged to host the Dorset Legal Service, which is one of the county High Sheriff’s events across the year. We had over 150 attending from various areas of the legal profession and uniformed organisations. The church really did put its best foot forward and we received many compliments regarding our welcome and the service as a whole. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. It was another way that we could demonstrate that BFPC is alive, thriving and making a difference in our community.

 

That evening we were also able to run not one, but two light parties for children in the town. The Parish Centre was transformed into a colourful and bright environment with lots of games and activities for our guests. I know that there were many who attended the evening who we’ve had little to no contact with as a church before, and so it was great to be able to show them that the church is a fun and vibrant place to be and is a place that children and families are welcome and valued. My thanks to Megan and all the team in making this happen. They were and are amazing.

 

In a few week’s time we have Remembrance Sunday, which is a little different from previous years as there will be no civic service in the church. This decision was taken by the organising committee in my absence, and as I’m not chaplain to the mayor this year, I had less influence than I’ve had in previous years. The centre of the event however is the churchyard at the east end of the market square, and I will be involved in the ceremony. I know for some this change is not one they like, and I would echo that sentiment, but it’s one that was not of our making, and our primary call is to serve the community and this is one way we do that.

Hopefully you will all receive alongside this monthly message a sheet with all the resources I mentioned on Sunday in relation to reading scripture. Please do take a look and find something that works for you in helping you read your bible. It’s not an exclusive list. There are many other good and useful resources out there, but hopefully it provides a starting place. If you take anything away, it’s an encouragement to read our bibles and let them shape us to be more like Jesus. That’s my hope and prayer for all of us.

 

This Sunday we have our regular monthly Going Deeper service in the evening – whoch provides an opportunity for extended sung worship and the ability to respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading. This month we have a guest worship leader and a guest speaker. Chris Mould is currently the chair of the Ffald-y-Brenin Trust, which is a retreat house based in Wales, which has seen an amazing move of God over the last 20 yeas or so. Previously he was the CEO of the Trussell Trust which is the largest deliverer of food banks in the country. Please do come along and hear what Chris has to impart to us.

 

I just want to remind people that my door (or diary) is always open to people who want to have a conversation with me. Sunday’s is never the best time as I’m focussed on a million and one things that need to be done for making the service happen. I do however want to know what you’re all thinking and to hear anything you might have an issue with. I might not always agree with you, but I do promise to listen. If you want to make a time to meet you can do so through Tina in the office who can slot you into my diary.

 

Have a great month everyone.

 

Blessings

 

Chris