Good News: Help & Healing

Here are my remarks from the recent Annual Parochial Chuch Meeting at St John's Seven Kings, which are based on Acts 9. 36‐end.

News about the church in Joppa spread through the whole town because:

o Tabitha was known for doing good, helping the poor, the clothes she made for others (help);
o Tabitha was raised to life (healing).

Help & healing brought new life and was good news.

News about St John’s has also spread in the past year through: word of mouth; community networks; press coverage; and activities/services. New people coming to St John’s have responded to, for example: a funeral sermon; our public stance opposing the BNP; our commitment to improving the community. They have found: counselling; friendship; involvement; prayer; and support here at St Johns. So again, help & healing have brought new life and are good news.

We have in 2009:

o seen new people joining & contributing to the church over the course of the year;
o made changes that are addressing our financial shortfall ;
o developed new partnerships with local churches through the Deanery clustering arrangements;
o contributed to local campaigns to improve community facilities (e.g. the new Seven Kings
library); and
o grown through study, worship and service in our ongoing programme of activities and services.
Some highlights from 2009 included, among others:

o MU 100th Anniversary;
o Geoff Eze’s priesting;
o Palm Sunday procession, Praise in the Park & Caribbean Evening with St Paul’s Goodmayes;
o Showstoppers Holiday Club;
o Patronal Festival events & services;
o Social & fundraising events;
o Confirmations; and
o Visit from Bisoke Balikenga & well attended services over Christmas.

This year we need to work more closely with community groups using our building (user group; newsletter) and continue our active involvement in the local community as a Christian presence and witness (church activities, events & services, community campaigns, community garden).

We are seeking as many different ways of making contact with as many local people as possible in order that in different ways and though different means we can share the love of Jesus.

News about the church spread through the whole town and many people believed in the
Lord. (Acts 9. 42) Help & healing brought new life and was good news.

You can support the way forward by:

o “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. Do all your work in love.” (1 Corinthians 16 v 13‐14) – our text for 2010;
o Contributing as you are able (Stewardship);
o Recognise that we can’t and shouldn’t try to do it just by ourselves (Partnership);
o Spread the good news (Mission); and
o Pray for and encourage those whose contribution is different from your own (Fellowship).

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The Housemartins - I'll Be Your Shelter.