Dear JohnPaul Family
I have just finished my third funeral, in as many weeks, on the same day that Marion and I said our goodbyes to another long-standing member of St John’s and the week after St Paul’s lost Ann Wenter. In the midst of life we are in death!
I love funerals – I love it that we always remember the best, that families come together, that I am privileged to be part of this special moment. I love it that our children, and even our grandchildren, take part because those relationships are so important.
So, these last few weeks I have been doing more reflecting than usual. Reflecting on the lives we celebrate at the funeral, reflecting on the state of our churches, reflecting on my role as Vicar, reflecting most on what God might be saying to us. We see so much death around us here and across our world. And yet in the midst of death, we also see the eternal joy of fresh starts, new beginnings, streams in the wasteland!
Celebrating Ven Mark Ireland
Ven Mark Ireland, a much-loved previous Vicar, comes to Baxenden this Sunday for one of his last services before his retirement. He was the first person I spoke to about coming to Accrington and he was so keen to see the parish grow, like in his time.
Raise an Hallelujah
His visit reminded me of my licensing service at St Paul’s when I shared a song that had really touched me through the grief of Covid. In response to the song Dorothy Brown painted this picture to represent God’s hopes for our Parish of JohnPaul. A flag flying high over the church emblazoned with the word ‘Joy’!
Treasures in Jars of Clay – Streams in the Wasteland
As I prepare the sermon for this Sunday and meditate on the OT and NT readings, I am struck by two important themes for my time here. ‘Streams in the wasteland’ and ‘treasures in jars of clay’. We are Easter people sharing the joy of the resurrection, while carrying the cross daily of lives lived out in a world of pain and suffering. Those two themes always meet at the cross.
Don’t miss out on a rare opportunity to join Alpha!
As I finish a shorter letter this month, I want to challenge those of you who have lost that Easter joy, to consider joining us as we experience the joy of doing an Alpha over the ten weeks straight after Easter. I have rarely experienced more joy than attending the Holy Spirit Day and seeing people come to faith, receive the Spirit for the first time, or receive a fresh in-filling.
We start on Tuesday 29th April with a home cooked meal at 6.30pm at St Paul’s Accrington. The Holy Spirit Day will on Saturday 14th June (venue tbc). There will be sign-up sheets at the back of both churches, so that we can know how much food to prepare, or email me on [email protected]. We would love you to join us! Just click the preview here
God bless you all as we journey through Lent and towards the joy of Easter
Amanda and the team at JohnPaul Parish
PS Please would you consider joining the tech team, or the PCC at St John’s? St Paul’s are also looking for more help with Families@5.
PS If you have not signed up to the new electoral roll (that needs updating every five years) please clickhere
PS look out for our new look website coming out in May!
Key Easter Events at JohnPaul:
- · Palm Sunday 13th April – 9am HC St Paul’s and 10.30am MW St John’s
- · Maundy Thursday Agape Meal – 7pm at St Paul’s Church Hall with Rev Hilary
- · Good Friday Walk up the Coppice – meet the top of Avenue Parade at 11.15am
- · Good Friday Meditation – 3pm at St John’s
- · Easter Breakfast Sunday 20th April at St John’s at 9.30am for Children’s Church
- · Easter Day HC Service at St Paul’s at 9am and at St John’s at 10.30am with baptism and HC.