Dear Church Family,
We are fast approaching the time when Rev. Mark Bridgen and his family will be ensconced in the vicarage, and a new era of life will begin at Kippington. This comes at a time when we are slowly beginning to come out of our lockdown and to consider how our world will be. I feel it is a little like emerging from hibernation - we are a little loath to leave the cosiness and warmth of all that is familiar and also apprehensive as to what this new world will look like.
I attended a very interesting webinar this week on ‘Leadership in Lockdown’ and found it fascinating to hear and see how other churches have been coping with life during this pandemic. As we start our new team ministry we need to be aware of the possibilities and opportunities that this venture will bring.
Over the past months many of us have been challenged in our assumptions of what normal life is, and many questions have been raised as to how we live. We have reconnected with our communities in a wonderful way, at the same time realising our increased fragility, both of ourselves and the planet on which we live. There must be a better way for us to hold this all in balance and to reach out to the Sevenoaks community with the wonderful good news that we have in the gospel. There has definitely been a stimulated interest in all matters relating to faith, and the church must be ready to respond to this.
A survey conducted by CPAS has said that as we emerge from lockdown, 80% of what we were doing before will return, but what of the 20% that won’t? This is what we need to be concentrating our efforts on.
We don’t want to miss what God may be asking of us as we embark on our team ministry - keep on listening to God and thanking him for all he has done during this time.
Pray
Acknowledge reality
Utilise resources
Settle expectations
Explore possibilities
Remember, church has not ceased to be during the past 4 months, rather it has been merely operating in a different way.
Please continue to uphold all these things in prayer and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any ideas that you may have going forward. Many of you have already responded to the letter we sent out a few weeks ago and we have been delighted to receive those, but others do get in touch if you have any ideas.
A reminder too to send in a photo of you and your family if you would like to be included in the photo book we are putting together for Mark. This will need to be with Jeb by Wednesday of this week please.
Romans 15v13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Please enjoy the service that Joan has put together for us this weekend, together with the beautiful piece of music that Hazel Ross has sent specifically for the Kippington family.
With our love,
Sally and Sue