Straight from the donkey's mouth - March PCC update

Dear Church Family. As we head out of lockdown and with the next PCC meeting on Monday 19th April, I would like to bring you up to date with what we have been doing at the meetings and how you can pray for us in the coming months.
 
It’s been a very tough few months for us all and we have been striving to still be present as PCC members and make sure that the pandemic doesn’t prevent us from leading the church as it seeks to grow physically and spiritually but also to be able to adapt to the changing ways in which we do church, lead church and serve the church.
We always begin each meeting with prayer and refocusing on God, bringing him back to the centre and making sure he is there throughout. He is our strength, our tower and our refuge.
 
Let us dive into what has been happening:
 
We had ordinand John Attenborough with us until Easter on placement and we wish him well  as his ordination approaches and for his future ministry.
 
The amount that has been given to us financially  over the last year has remained constant. The PCC agreed to tithe our surplus and £1,350 was given each to Winchester Diocese as they have been hit hard by the pandemic and to  Enable Busoga to put towards a carbon offsetting project. The PCC is also considering proposals  about how our family and youth mission will develop in the future. God has really blessed us in a time of uncertainty, He continues to sustain our church, please pray for this to continue.
 
We continue to be very passionate about the safety of our Church Family, visitors and users of our church buildings; The building projects, maintenance and safeguarding being hot topics are still valuable in our future as a congregation and to encourage people safely back into our church buildings.
 
Climate change is never far from our hearts and minds; it was agreed to Celebrate Climate Sunday before 5th September 2021 and provide some teaching on the important role God has given us as stewards of His Creation, our roles in the environment and how we care for our brothers and sisters in parts of the world that are more effected by climate change than others.
 
We have sadly had to say goodbye to Simon, our church warden and Jayne and Sheree, PCC members, who are all stepping down. We are grateful for their service and pray for them as they discover what this new year will mean for them. If you feel called to serve the church by serving on the PCC or you know someone who might have the right gifts, please get in touch with Dan or the church office.
 
We have started having a congregation back in Church on some Sundays, please pray for our health and hygiene team as they try to understand what needs to be put in place and for the different teams as they facilitate the services, whether they’re in church or live-streamed..
 
I really hope you have managed to stay connected in come way to church, to your cell if you have one and the people you are close to normally in church even if these past 12 months haven’t neem “Normal” but as we embrace the new normal may the Lord lift you up, hold you steadfast in His Love and sustain you in the coming months.
 
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain”  Corinthians 15:58

​Aimee Whitfield

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