The Vicar's "Two Penn'orth"
Growing the Church
in the Community
in the Community
What an absolute joy it was to be able to hold the lifeboat service recently! There has been a three-year absence due to Covid, and then the Queen’s passing. It was good to have Bishop Mark preach at the service and the feedback from what he said has been brilliant. The following BBQ in the garden was a time of fellowship and fun for the church family and the families of the lifeboat crew. This was an opportunity to give thanks for the lifesaving work they do and for the community to which we all belong. I honestly believe that community is so important to us all, and the more we reach out as a church to our local community the better.
There has been much speculation about the church in our country and the diminishing numbers attending, and we have to take this seriously. The big question is ‘How do we become a church that welcomes its community in, but also goes out and works in that community, making itself known as relevant and much needed?’ I am reminded of the verse from St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
I have a few ideas and I hope you will get behind me in playing a much bigger part in our community. The question is ‘How?’ My wish is that we continue to do the things that work well such as our ministry of the Bacon Butties on a Tuesday and welcoming the nursing homes to church whenever we can. I am convinced that, given more volunteers, we can do even more. There are several things I have in mind - not least a focus on our children’s work, supporting Peter with ‘Messy Church’ and our very successful toddler group. It would be great to offer more to them and I am praying hard about that.
We have to dream dreams and pray hard for renewal and perhaps work a little more on the following up of baptism families for example. The Prophet Isaiah does, encouraging us with these words: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
However, having said goodbye to Reverend Richard the team is smaller than it once was and as Rev John has also gone on to full time ministry in the Air force it has become a little more difficult. The answer I believe is in our lay people and volunteers growing them as a group to assist in visiting, and being the Church in this generation. Our churches should reflect the community in which we live, but does it? That’s a big question! Our aim is to be the church of the people: no matter what age they are - no matter what their ethnicity or social status. This should be our continuing work.
I would like to finish with these words from St Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people, who will be able to teach others also.”
There has been much speculation about the church in our country and the diminishing numbers attending, and we have to take this seriously. The big question is ‘How do we become a church that welcomes its community in, but also goes out and works in that community, making itself known as relevant and much needed?’ I am reminded of the verse from St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
I have a few ideas and I hope you will get behind me in playing a much bigger part in our community. The question is ‘How?’ My wish is that we continue to do the things that work well such as our ministry of the Bacon Butties on a Tuesday and welcoming the nursing homes to church whenever we can. I am convinced that, given more volunteers, we can do even more. There are several things I have in mind - not least a focus on our children’s work, supporting Peter with ‘Messy Church’ and our very successful toddler group. It would be great to offer more to them and I am praying hard about that.
We have to dream dreams and pray hard for renewal and perhaps work a little more on the following up of baptism families for example. The Prophet Isaiah does, encouraging us with these words: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
However, having said goodbye to Reverend Richard the team is smaller than it once was and as Rev John has also gone on to full time ministry in the Air force it has become a little more difficult. The answer I believe is in our lay people and volunteers growing them as a group to assist in visiting, and being the Church in this generation. Our churches should reflect the community in which we live, but does it? That’s a big question! Our aim is to be the church of the people: no matter what age they are - no matter what their ethnicity or social status. This should be our continuing work.
I would like to finish with these words from St Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people, who will be able to teach others also.”
Your Friend,
Rev Paul,
Vicar of Hoylake
Rev Paul,
Vicar of Hoylake
