NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES
We have finally made it to 2016! Ok, it was a few weeks ago but then i was away recharging my batteries and getting myself ready for the next stage in the life of MCC Brighton. Since my return on 11th January we have seen a new style worship space, a new feel to communion and a new commitment to moving forward. I am really quite excited about the coming year and the promise it holds.
In keeping with this new year and new energy, we are making some changes.
Tuesdays - The Young Adult Group will be meeting in The Emporium Cafe, London Road, Brighton at 7pm. We will be using this time to look at events, faith and issues from a Young Adult perspective. There are plans to invite speakers and friends to share their stories with us.
Every Wednesday and Thursday - I will be at the Emporium Cafe for a drop-in running from 10-2 (the end time is flexible if more time is needed). This time will be set aside for chats, discussions and as a contact time with people who want to connect but are not looking to attend Sunday worship. Please feel free to stop by and say hello.
Thursdays - The Midweek Group will now be meeting Thursday evenings at 7pm in the Emporium. Each week there will be a different reading from the Bible for us to look at, think about and discuss. The idea is that anyone can drop in and join the group on the day without needing to have had any prior notice or reading. I am hoping that this will help people to look deeper into the Bible and allow them to question what they have heard, seen or read.
What have I been up to?
This is often the question i get asked at meeting etc so i thought i would share the answer with you.
Since returning from holiday i have raised questions with Sanctuary On Sea about how we, the denomination and Churches Together in Central Brighton can support them and make a difference. They have set up a work group to look at what practical aid we as churches can offer and what support the denomination (especially the European Network) can give.
I then attended a CTiCB meeting at Cherubs Kitchen (thank you Msgnr Jerome for the awesome shepherds pie). We discussed the coming year and what we should be looking to achieve. This year we are concentrating on getting to know each other (Churches not just the leaders), communicating better with each other and organising a Social event for everyone. Spoiler alert - the social will be on 16th July 2016 and is shaping up to be great fun.
I spent some time in The Emporium to see if it worked as an office for me and was greatly relieved to find out that it did. The WiFi was stable, the atmosphere convivial and the coffee good, perfect office material. I had plenty of space and there are numerous power sockets to plug my various devices into. It enabled me to get ahead on the worship planning and song choices, so it would appear that this will be very beneficial.
Other than that i went to the prayer breakfast on Saturday 16th which was great. I was very honoured to be asked to offer up the prayers for the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast which followed the time of worship. The Salvation Army looked after us very well and the whole event was one of great fellowship and sharing. Just goes to show what we achieve when we truly work together (see blurb on our website for details).
Finally, i just want to say that 2016 is shaping up to be quite a year. This is our time for connecting, reaching out and through that growing. I truly believe that we have something unique and important to offer our community. We are already having a huge impact on the world around us and people are seeking our advice and our support. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this amazing church.
Andrew Ramage
|
