Dear Friends The sun is shining with that intensity you often only experience when the skies are clear and there is no wind. The snow drops are continuing to bloom and the daffodils are starting to peep out. Do you ever have that deep breath moment when it is as if God was whispering those immortal words from Psalm 46.10? ‘Be still and know that I am God!’ What is happening at church? As a church we are moving into that season of our annual church meeting (APCM). This year we are asking you to sign up again to be…
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It was just February 24 when we met for our Vision Day at Whalley Abbey and it was there we dreamed dreams for the future of JohnPaul Parish and put some key markers in place. As a result of the Vision Day, we developed a Vision Statement with some follow up actions under the headings of Community Presence, Leadership Gifts and Talents, Prayer, Family Engagement, Being one Church, Welcome and how to include new people, Not dwelling in the past and Visibility of the PCC and decisions. See below for a reminder of our Vision statement and please see the…
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Dear JohnPaul Family Moving towards Christmas It has been a while since I have written as I seem to have been dealing with quite a few difficult issues in the life of the church. These have taken up an excessive amount of time and I am sorry that I might not have been as visible recently. If you ever need to catch up with me, do email or text me as I love to meet up for a brew! Remembrance Day Last weekend we remembered those who fought and died for us in war and conflict. I was asked to…
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Dear Friends Summer seems to have gone so fast, in fact, I am not even sure it even arrived! Rich and I returned at the end of August from 10 days of torrential rain in Keswick. We were working with 14 young people all wanting to become young Christian leaders. Rich helped them to understand their personality and I helped them to lead services. We both cooked up a storm each day and we were so blessed to spend time with such amazing young folk. The first week of school was quiet as my schools geared up to being back…
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Dear JohnPaul Church Family! As many of you go on holiday, Rich and I are preparing to help lead a Christian camp for young leaders in Keswick called Base Camp. We are the cooks and Rich is providing some leadership training and I am doing some preaching and teaching. We love seeing young people come to faith for the first time and others grow in their faith. One young man had been coming to our charity’s Kart Camp for years, but only decided to follow Jesus at Base camp last year. His family are not believers, so it was…
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Dear JohnPaul Parish family Joyful June It was so glorious to have those few weeks of sun! I dived into my wardrobe and found my summer outfits, I even put some self-tanning lotion on my legs! And then the rain started to fall again! Hey ho! I enjoyed it while it lasted. My big focus in May was preparing for our bid to the Community Ownership fund – part of the government’s levelling up funds. Sadly, this has now all gone on hold as we move towards a general election in July. As I reflect on the election and our…
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