PREVIOUS NEWS
A CALL TO PRAYER (15th & 22nd Aug)FOR THE TRAVELLER (1st & 8th Aug)
В РОССИИ С ЛЮБОВЬЮ (To Russia, With Love) (25th July)
BYE-BYE BRUCES! (18th July)
A CALL TO PRAYER
When we think about our personal journeys toward faith I wonder what points of importance, moments of influence and people of encouragement come to our minds. Further still I wonder how many of us would place the start of that faith journey somewhere deep in the memories of our youth; statistics suggest that it is as high as 80% of our brothers and sisters in Christ who do.
Aside from this being reason enough to direct 80% of church budget to the youth ministry (joke) it certainly is reason enough to lift our young people to God prayer. And here is the perfect opportunity. For 14 of our young people the 16th August signals the commencement of Soul Survivor, a five day long, 10,000 person youth event focused on worship and faith development. During this time our young people will be witnessing so much of the person and power of God and yet what we pray is that that observation grows into an experience and that experience into a growing relationship.
I ask that you would pray for:
•safe journeys
•happy camping
•good health
•good relationships
•and growing faith
FOR THE TRAVELLER
As I was setting off for my sabbatical in April a church member gave me a copy of the poem "For the Traveller" by John O'Donohue. In our culture we do not value journeys as much as some other peoples do. By and large we have lost our tradition of pilgrimage. If you are about to travel whether it's to New Wine, Soul Survivor or new places near or far I hope the following extract is a blessing to you:
"A journey can become a sacred thing.
Make sure, before you go,
To take the time
To bless your going forth,
To free your heart of ballast
So that the compass of your soul
Might direct you towards
The territories of spirit
Where you will discover
More of your hidden life;
And the urgencies
That deserve to claim you."
В РОССИИ С ЛЮБОВЬЮ
(To Russia, With Love)It's less than 2 weeks to go now for Simon de Mello and Lucy Rodda before their much anticipated trip to Russia from 8th - 15th August! So here are a few details in case you wanted to know a little more...
Their team? They will be joining a team of 15 or so others from churches around the UK and US brought together by the charity Love Russia...
Their destination? Well, the details are still being finalised due to the Russian government literally weeks ago closing down the orphanage near Moscow they had planned to visit. But, needless to say, Russia is a country with abundant need and an orphanage near St Petersburg is also in dire need of help. The owner apparently broke down in tears when she heard the team was coming...
Their work? Playing with the children, organising sports, helping them with craft activities and generally showing them that there are actually people who care about them enough to travel from far off lands...
Their living conditions? Let's just say there won't be any hot showers but there'll be an awful lot of cabbage and dill...
Needless to say, the team will be very grateful for any prayer!
BYE-BYE BRUCES!
On 21st August, the furniture will be dismantled, the children's favourite toys lost for the next fortnight and the removal van will be packed to the gunnels, as the Bruce family make their way down the M5 to north Bristol! We are moving to Bristol for two years in order for Dave to train at Trinity Theological College to become a vicar.
It will be a big change for all of us; Dave will become a full-time student for the first time in fifteen years, Joshua will start pre-school and we will all be adjusting to a different way of life. However, we are looking forward to this new season in our life and all that God has for each of us, as our journey as a family takes a new turn.
We have loved our time with you at St Mark. It has been such a formative five years for us here with you. We joined the church just before we got engaged, and now we are four! We have learned so much with and from you, our St Mark family, and what we have experienced amongst you will shape our life and ministry for years to come. Thank you. We appreciate your prayers as ever and do stay in touch.
Lots of love from the Bruces
(Dave, Alice, Joshua & Eleanor).
One-to-one
Discipleship CheckupsTo help church members reflect on how things are going as they try to live out their faith in Jesus.
Home Groups
Church in the homeGives church members an opportunity to meet other members in an informal small group where they can support and encourage each other. Being part of a group helps people feel they belong to the church.
