A Vicar Writes: November 2017

As I write this letter, its October 16^th and we are experiencing some high winds as Storm Ophelia strikes Ireland and the west coast of Great Britain. We are reminded once again of the power of nature and realising that in reality we are defenceless against such force.Only 3 days ago Nikki and the kids were outside sweeping up all the leaves, easily filling two green wheelie bins! As I look out now it seems a complete waste of time and effort as there are more leaves than ever before festooned across the driveway and garden!

Its easy to become despondent and negative. To think what’s the point? It’s a task that seems never ending. However, with each pile of leaves collected the finishing post draws nearer. Each wheelie bin makes a difference and before we know it Spring will be here and the new leaves will be taking over where the old ones left off!

What seems impossible can be achieved! Paul writes in Philippians 3:14 ‘I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus’.

This is the message I want to share with you today as we think about our ‘Space 2 Grow’ project. By now you will have heard about our plans to re-order the church, more details can be found on this website  The re-ordering of the church seems a huge undertaking, one that stretches out ahead of us but – ‘with each pile of leaves the finishing post draws nearer!’

Over the next few years we will be finding many ways to ‘achieve our goal’, one such way is the amazing picture that decorates the front cover of this months magazine. I want express my huge thanks to Tony Ellis for painting this image of St. Anne’s in his own distinctive style. I’m sure you will agree it is a beautiful painting and there is so much to take from it. When I look at it, I see people making their way to worship with excitement, the community being drawn together, the Cross of Christ in the middle of everything – so hugely important! But that cross is also part of a window frame – A window speaks to me of looking on, it also speaks to me of the importance of welcoming and inviting people to join us, not to stay simply ‘looking on’ from behind the glass, we need to be with the crowds being drawn to Jesus otherwise we’re missing out! I’m sure as you look at it you will see it in different ways at different times and seasons. It really is a work of art! (excuse the pun!)

The good news is that you don’t just have to look at a photocopy on the front cover of the magazine, but you can order your own high quality print today. There are a number of different options available to you:

Option 1: A4 print in a card mount – £15

Option 2: A4 Print Framed – £25

Option 3: A3 Print in a card mount – £20

Option 4: A3 Print Framed – £35

All proceeds will go towards the ‘Space 2 Grow’ re-ordering project. To order your copy simply pop along to church and fill in the order form found here   https://www.stannesaigburth.com/files/2017/10/Painting-order-form.pdf   or fill in and return the order form on the next page. Payment is required upfront and cheques are made payable to ‘St Anne’s Building Fund’. Please note if we are required to post the print there is an additional £5 cost (per print) to be added for postage and packaging and we regret that we can only post options 1 & 3.

I do hope you will take this opportunity to purchase this lovely print of your church and enjoy it for years to come but also to know that in purchasing this print you are making a real difference to the future of St. Anne’s and helping us to reach our goal! Remember nothing is impossible with God!