Please find the Messenger for September
Dear Friends,
One of the most precious gifts God gives His people is the gift of rest. From the very beginning, in the story of creation, we see that rest is woven into the rhythm of life – a time to pause, to take a breath, and to delight in what God has made. In our busy world, it can be easy to think that rest is a luxury or even a waste of time, but Scripture shows us it is neither. Rest is not about doing nothing; it is about making space to be renewed, to listen, and to allow God to restore our hearts. Jesus Himself often withdrew from the crowds to spend time in prayer with His Father. If He, in the midst of a ministry full of urgency, made time for rest, how much more do we need it?
In recent weeks, we have been blessed with moments of joy and fellowship in our parish. Our Starship Adventure holiday club brought together children, churches, families, and volunteers for a few days of creativity, laughter, and meaningful exploration of their faith. Nearly 80 children and young people took part in this holiday club and had the opportunity to go deeper in their faith and grow their relationships with our parish. I am so grateful to everyone who gave their time and talents to make it happen, and to those who prayed for the children who came along.
A little earlier in the month, the Mothers' Union gathered from around Blackburn archdeaconry at St George’s Church for the Mary Sumner Day service – a beautiful occasion of worship, thanksgiving, and encouragement, reminding us of the lasting impact that one person’s faithful obedience can have on generations to come.
These events, though very different in character, share something important: they each flow out of hearts renewed in God’s presence. When we are rested in Him – when we take the time to step back, breathe, and be with Him – we are better able to serve others with joy. Without this rhythm of rest and work, we risk running dry and losing the sense of purpose and delight in what we do.
I write this letter in the middle of August but you won’t receive it until September, but as we work in the midst of an interregnum, it is important we remember that all our parish does is God’s work. The work is not dependant on how much effort we put in, but on him. As such I pray that you have had a summer in which you have made time to pause and reflect and been able to spend time with God. I pray too that, as we approach the busy season ahead, you continue make time and space to rest in God’s presence.
Blessings, Jordan