A year already!
What a difference
What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were preparing for my licensing on the 22nd July (Mary Magdalene). There was a brief respite in lockdown and there was a tantalising window where we just *may* be able to have it in person under very strict COVID controls.
It was a wonderful moment of light in an otherwise dark year. A gathering of real people in a real place – joining in praise and celebration – a very needed moment of joy.
My first year here has been shaped by that first service. We have continued to be locked down, to be controlled in what we are able to do with strict COVID rules and we have continued to find joy in communal celebration and praise – despite these difficult circumstances.
We have worked together to make good in a difficult situation and have endured to make sure that the church is open for anyone that needs it.
We have rebuilt a community resource in our new church hall, we have feed the hungry, clothed the naked, given water to the thirsty and we have proclaimed the Gospel in word and deed!
We are prepared for the next year having spent this year getting ready for the world to re-open.
We are excited about what that world my bring to our door and where we may take the Gospel.
The future at St. Anselm is looking very bright indeed and that is all down to the wonderful people in this place.
Thank you for everything you’ve done over the last year. For being open to change and to new ideas. For being so loving and welcoming to new people. For being so loving and kind to Catherine, Edmund and I.
Here’s to the next year!
Fr. Matthew
Downloads
Other news
Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard this week to get the church cleaned and organised for Bishop Jonathan’s visit. The hall and church are looking wonderful – a really inviting place to bring people.
Susan Chick will be giving a short talk on the spiritual benefits of Compline (night prayer) next Sunday (25th) after Evening Prayer and Benediction. We have a small number of books to give away to help you encounter this beautiful prayer.
We welcome our new Musical Director – Anthony Wang – this Sunday. Please make him feel very welcome and get your vocal cords in practice for the return of sung hymns from next Sunday!
Deanery Synod will be hosted at St. Anselm on Thursday (22nd) at 7:30pm – a special evening of prayer from across the deanery has been organised – please make a special effort to attend as we pray for the mission of Christ in this place.