To all the members of All Saints
We continue to give thanks to God for you all. We have long since known that we have a special group of people at All Saints who, year on year, are seeking to fulfil God’s purposes by supporting and encouraging one another. This latest weekly letter wants to reflect that and to bring you the latest church family news as the prospect of our being able to meet together still seems some way off.
Meetings in the coming week which are all on-line –
Tuesday 2nd Feb, 08.45, staff team meeting and prayer time. Do please pray for them as they meet to encourage one another and to listen for what God wants to say to them.
Wednesday 3rd Feb, 10am Special PCC Meeting with the Archdeacon of Chester and a Simeon Trust Trustee as the next stage of the vacancy search.
20.00 Open to God – Further information will available on Monday
Thursday 4th Feb, 16.00 Standing Committee meeting.
A busy week especially as none of these meetings can be in person.
Reminder of support that is available during the lockdown period –
Rhiannon Cooke continues to be available to give pastoral support and to provide a listening ear. She is happy to speak, mostly weekly on a Tuesday, with anyone who requests a call. Do please telephone the office with your request and the staff will make sure that your details are given to her. She will be delighted to speak with you.
Helen Ellis our Families Work Co-ordinator is providing similar support for those with children. Please don’t hesitate to contact Helen if you feel she could assist you or if you simply need encouragement.
The PCC, Leadership team and the wardens are very aware of the struggles most people are facing due to on-going restrictions. Those struggles are most understandable and the church wants to provide as much support as is possible in the circumstances. If you have basic practical needs that you think we can help with then contact the office and we will seek to find someone who is available to provide that help.
One of the helpful things when we are struggling is to hear how others have coped in difficult circumstance. The Bible is full of events in which God’s people have been on the verge almost of collapse. In Habakkuk the prophet’s time he was getting very frustrated because of the things he saw happening around him and complains to God expressing disappointment but then at the end of the book we read –
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.” Habakkuk 3:17-18
Worship opens us up to receiving blessings from God that may take us by surprise. When we are feeling low God is waiting to meet with us, so let us reach out to Him in worship and then enjoy the benefits.
John Chester and Andy Creeth, Churchwardens.