January 2025 Letter

  Searching for those Holy Moments   

As we move from the Old Year to the New Year I have to be honest and say I am finding this December a little tricky.  As I write this we are still to have all our Christmas services, which I know will bring me great joy, but….. I do get fed up of dark mornings and evenings, of muddy dog walks and a muddy dog on cream carpets!! My heating has been broken and I have been full of cold for weeks.  That’s one way of looking at it…   

However, another way to look at it is… I am so glad I have Bean, she is a great companion and walking buddy, and thanks to a great team of plumbers we are now toasty warm again…. and my cold is finally going!  I am searching for those ‘Holy Moments’. Moments when I see and am aware that God is with me in my everyday life. I know I am not alone in having minor irritations throughout my day, but I also try to see how fortunate I am.  Each week we have a team (who I am very thankful for) who pray for our world, our country, our government, our communities, those among us who are sick or in need, we bring all these prayers to God and ask for help and also give thanks for all that he is doing. If you would like prayer, please let me know.   

As I think forward from today, there will be lots of things that will bring me joy over the next few weeks:- The school nativity play, Pop Up Carol services, our Christmas party at Jimmy’s toddler group, our final session at Jim’s café to name a few.   So many people to see and company to enjoy, getting time to spend with my children and grandchild, a quite moment with a good book and some chocolate – all glorious.   

There will also be some difficult stuff that I can’t talk about here…. This is life’s journey – the ups and the downs, the rough with the smooth, the magic in the muck, the joy and the pain of it, and not just in the Christmas season.   

As we head into January – we are still us, filled with hope and/or worries for this New Year.  We will all have things in the coming year which will be times of joy, and no doubt there will be some welcome and unwelcome surprises along the way.  This is the human condition.   

But, we are a people called to Hope.  Hope that every day is a new day, that God gives us each day as a gift, to enjoy, to work in, to endure in, to help each other in and to find ‘Holy Moments’ that we can share with others. God watches over our lives, and my prayer for you is that you see God working for your good in your everyday.  Revel in the people you love and the people who love you, the beauty we are surrounded by.  Lift your eyes up and think of the good things in your life and work out who needs your help. And I want to give you a question to ponder for this year end….   

Does Jesus get tidied away and put back in a box with the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, the Christmas tree and the decorations to gather dust until next year?  Or are you prepared to keep him from being ‘put away’? To wonder what a life with Jesus could be like?   

This January we are running an online Alpha course to give you an opportunity to find out more about Jesus and why he is so important to our lives, I would love it if you could join me and journey with me for 6 weeks.
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The Alpha Course  2025 – is a series of interactive sessions that explore the basics of the Christian Faith. It is for anyone who is curious about exploring the big questions of life, faith and meaning.  Please join us online for 6 weeks. Dates for your diary:-20th, 27th Jan and 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th Feb.At 7.30 pm online.Contact Rev Alison Jackson for the Zoom link on 01279 790145 or 0783 366 7707
    
Alpha could be part of your Hope for January, the opportunity to begin a new life with Jesus at the centre. Alternatively, you and your family might want to come to our new Messy Church sessions which will be running every month from the 19th January 2025.  (see flyer for more information)   ‘I lift my eyes up, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121 v1-2)  As you read this I wish you a Merry Christmas and a hope filled New Year.  May God be with you, bless you and protect you and may you always be able to see those Holy Moments that God gives you. Your Priest Alison   

Online prayer sessions - Tuesday mornings at 9.30 am – link below  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84557900182?pwd=MDhIR2ZBSFc4RXdxWW4zL3FJRGx0dz09 Meeting ID: 845 5790 0182   Passcode: 640464