Looking back, looking forwards, rejoicing now!
The next copy of Inspire will be coming out during the weekend of the St Giles Flower Festival, which once again I am sure will stun us all in terms of people’s creativity and the beauty of creation. A huge thank you to all who are part of making this wonderful event happen.
It strikes me as rather apt to be having the Flower Festival now, as flowers are nearly always used both at funerals and at weddings – both hugely significant times of life when we look back with gratitude and love for someone’s life, or celebrate with others the start of a new life together; and of course flowers are often given when the wedding date is remembered on anniversary dates.
Which leads me on to a kind of wedding that took place 50 years ago this month when St Giles Desborough became a Methodist/Anglican partnership - happy golden anniversary to St Giles! Over the course of the next 12 months there will be several events to help us celebrate this anniversary. Rather like we do at a funeral, we’ll be looking back at the past, giving thanks for all that was good as well as learning from what has at times been painful. No relationship, however good, is ever without pain, and it’s appropriate that as family together we acknowledge the times we’ve hurt one another and celebrate in the goodness of God who always offers grace, forgiveness and healing and calls us to do the same. Rather like at a wedding or even a wedding anniversary, we’ll anticipate our continued future together, dreaming and planning how we can continue to grow in our vision and actions to share Christ’s love with the world.
Whether you worship at St Giles, or in one of the churches in our Circuit or Benefice we’d love you to be part of our celebrations. We are all part of the family of God together and just as you might at a significant birthday or wedding anniversary invite your extended family to celebrate with you we invite you to celebrate with us. Keep an eye in Inspire and on our website for the various events going on throughout the year, beginning with a whole weekend of celebration next month! We look forward to rejoicing with you as we celebrate the coming together of two denominations – demonstrating the truth spoken by Paul – in Christ we are all one. Whatever our differences, we are all united in Christ. Alleluia!
It strikes me as rather apt to be having the Flower Festival now, as flowers are nearly always used both at funerals and at weddings – both hugely significant times of life when we look back with gratitude and love for someone’s life, or celebrate with others the start of a new life together; and of course flowers are often given when the wedding date is remembered on anniversary dates.
Which leads me on to a kind of wedding that took place 50 years ago this month when St Giles Desborough became a Methodist/Anglican partnership - happy golden anniversary to St Giles! Over the course of the next 12 months there will be several events to help us celebrate this anniversary. Rather like we do at a funeral, we’ll be looking back at the past, giving thanks for all that was good as well as learning from what has at times been painful. No relationship, however good, is ever without pain, and it’s appropriate that as family together we acknowledge the times we’ve hurt one another and celebrate in the goodness of God who always offers grace, forgiveness and healing and calls us to do the same. Rather like at a wedding or even a wedding anniversary, we’ll anticipate our continued future together, dreaming and planning how we can continue to grow in our vision and actions to share Christ’s love with the world.
Whether you worship at St Giles, or in one of the churches in our Circuit or Benefice we’d love you to be part of our celebrations. We are all part of the family of God together and just as you might at a significant birthday or wedding anniversary invite your extended family to celebrate with you we invite you to celebrate with us. Keep an eye in Inspire and on our website for the various events going on throughout the year, beginning with a whole weekend of celebration next month! We look forward to rejoicing with you as we celebrate the coming together of two denominations – demonstrating the truth spoken by Paul – in Christ we are all one. Whatever our differences, we are all united in Christ. Alleluia!