April Newsletter
Easter Sunday
Dear friends
How are you? Since my last letter, together we have journeyed through a variety of experiences – some sad and others quite the opposite – but we thank God for all that we have shared together as a church family standing with one another on life’s journey. Many pictures of the Cross which came to life with flowers during our Easter Sunday service were taken – for those of you who would like one it is printed above. It is also a very useful tool when we are speaking with other people about the joy of Easter. Thank you so much to everyone who engaged with our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, with the witness in the high street, with the coffee morning and Easter Egg hunt and with our Easter Sunday celebration – all affirm our Mission Statement which calls us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ day by day.
A big thank you to everyone who came on the Litter Pick a few weeks ago. Six bags of rubbish and items for recycling were collected due, not least, to the enthusiasm of members of Kingdom Club. We will be out again soon doing our best to try keep this area of Gillingham free from litter.
Our immediate calendar of special events is given below:
Wednesday 30th April 10 am to 12 noon. Coffee morning for Embrace the Middle East – Gaza. Thank you to Fiona for organising.
Sunday 11th May marks the beginning of Christian Aid week.
Sunday 11th May Bring and share lunch following morning worship to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Sunday 18th May. Church Meeting following morning worship.
Friday 30th May 4.30 to 5.45 pm. Our next Christian puppet ministry time for children accompanied by parent/adult carer.
Sunday 8th June at 6.30 pm. North Gillingham churches unite for a service for Pentecost at Gillingham Baptist church in Green Street. Preacher – Chris Gill, Pastor at King’s Church Gillingham.
Saturday 14th June. Our annual all day outing to the sea.
Sunday 15th June Ordination and Induction of Elders.
Victory in Europe Day events across the country will mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War. Medway Council’s website details events in this local area providing opportunity for reflection, remembering and coming together in the spirit of unity. Church Meeting agreed that we will have our own time of ‘coming together’ over a bring and share meal on Sunday 11th May following morning worship. We look forward to that.
A reminder that our outing to Westgate is on Saturday 14th June. The coach is filling up. Please sign up as soon as possible if you are planning to come.
My Address yesterday encouraged us to thank God for Thomas and for his need to see in order to believe. I encourage you to read again John 20:19-31. Verses 26 to 29 read, ‘A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ‘ In John’s Gospel we find other characters struggling for understanding and faith – Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, Martha. Let us continue to thank God that by the power of the Holy Spirit the truth about Jesus which can lead to being one of his followers today continues to be unlocked. May our witness be to Jesus – the Way, the Truth and the Life.
God bless you all
Pam