Welcome to Christchurch Abbeydale
The view from the manse...
"The Church exists by mission, as fire exists by burning." So said Emil Brunner, the Swiss Reformed theologian. It is perhaps no coincidence that he used the analogy of fire, when that element is also one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit.
At Pentecost, we celebrate the birth of the Church, when the Holy Spirit visited frightened, leaderless disciples and turned them into confident apostles and leaders of the early Church. From the moment of its birth, the Church has had its mission defined by the Holy Spirit, who has continued to empower God's people through two millenia.
Today, here at Christchurch Abbeydale, we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we work prayerfully together to identify and shape our mission amongst our local community. Although it is not really our church's mission - it was Leslie Newbiggin, formerly Bishop of Madras in the Church of South India, who spoke of it being God's mission, with its locus in the Church.
We have been blessed by the Spirit, evidenced by the work amongst children and young people that has grown so strongly, particularly with our two local schools, Heron and Abbeymead. We have seen many new faces appear on Sundays, and an increase in attendance at worship that is also translating into a growing membership. We have seen a new spirit of co-operation, too, as people have sensed the positive things happening in our midst.
Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit who gifted those original disciples is still alive and at work in the world, including his presence here at Christchurch. Please pray that we continue to heed him, and follow the Holy Spirit as he guides us into the future. May we burn brightly with the flame of the Spirit and be a beacon to the community in which we live, and whom we serve.
Yours in shared ministry
Les Mather