Vicar/Reader's Monthly Message
Reverend’s Letter: Our Faith is an Everyday Component
by Rev. Heather Atkinson
The Five Marks of Mission of the Church of England are the Anglican Church’s way of describing how Christians serve one another and the world.
The Five Marks are;
To tell: To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom - This is all our responsibility. Simply put what does Jesus mean to you and have we told someone or invited someone to church? We have two to choose from.
To teach: To teach, baptise and nurture new believers - Baptisms take place with preparation. New believers or those enquiring can come to Alpha and/or get involved in the life of the church.
To tend: To respond to human need by loving service. - We all do this pastorally with people and one another. Locally we do this through events like Welcome Saturdays at Emmanuel and Welcome Wednesdays at St James, the food bank, craft group, Carers and Tots, home communion, services of all kinds. Outside the our churches we support Christian Aid, our RNLI, and families through various means (we will have the opportunity to join in with the coastal committee again, running up to Christmas so children can have a Christmas present).
To transform: To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation - We have brought healing to those of the LGBTQIA community from being hurt. We support Christian Aid. The Coastal Committee I am part of sometimes challenges the council, and I’m involved in peace keeping between peoples and signing petitions.
To treasure: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth - Both churches have the silver Roche award and people are taught through the green fairs and tips on the pew sheet and parish magazine. It’s the duty of all of us to look after Gods creation. This is a snap shot but thank you to everyone for playing your part.
Our faith is an everyday component. What does your faith look like on a daily basis?
The Alpha course started of late. I said to someone how many people should we pray for to come. It was suggested 8. I said let’s pray for 15. We did get 15 and 18 even on one occasion. Most of the people have come through personal invitation which is so important. It’s good to discuss matters of faith.
There will be 19 including leaders at the Holy Spirit Away Day at St Bueno’s Jesuit centre in November. That’s the most we have ever had on an away day for some years. The Holy Spirit at work.
Prayer is an important part of my day. Sometimes we pray for people and events. Sometimes I ask the Holy Spirit, who should we pray for and it’s extraordinary how people just come to mind. If you haven’t prayed like that before, why not give it a try.
Speaking of prayer we have a couple of new initiatives in the pipeline. All I can say for now, is watch this space.