Ignite

Last Sunday we had our 4th Ignite service for young people and looked at how we can doubt and question well in our faith. In those times we need each other, we need to remember that God is with us and always loves us and we need to look back at His faithfulness to us. We had worship, a talk, videos and opportunities to respond wherever we’re at in our life and faith. And lots of pudding!

Romans 8:

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Prayer Walking

On the last Friday of each month a small but dedicated team of us have walked and prayed around the parish. We have prayed around the churches and the schools as well as the local streets.

We have been encouraged by seeing people come along to visit or join us not long after we have prayed in the roads where they live.

We leave St Paul's at 9.15am and walk for about an hour each month. Everyone is very welcome to join us.

Come, Holy Spirit

Today is Pentecost Sunday when we remember the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.

Last year one of our congregation, Mariam George, appeared on Songs of Praise and shared some of her story of the work of the Holy Spirit in her life. Today she spoke at St Paul's of the Holy Spirit that turned the disciples into apostles, from being learners to the ones being sent. Mariam shared more the way God has been at work in her life by His Spirit and also spoke of the power of the Spirit and that we are called to be witnesses.

Mariam's final challenge to us was 'In what areas of your life do you need more of the Spirit to help you be His witnesses?'

May God fill all his believers afresh with the Holy Spirit this Pentecost.

Jog 4 Jakin

Last Sunday Becky Griffin ran a 10K race based locally at Abbey Park to raise money for our charity of the month Jakin.
Well done Becky on raising over £1,000 and completing the course in an hour despite running with an injured knee.

Pentecost Assemblies

This week we have been in our local schools taking assemblies about Pentecost.

Lou, our Youth Worker, and I have been into Manor High School for 4 mornings this week. Lou talked about Pentecost as the beginning of the early church. Not a time when church buildings were built but as a time when believers got together and shared their life together including their stories.
We then showed the young people this interview which shows the way God, by his Spirit, can turn peoples lives around.

In Brookside Primary School I used the illustration of a balloon to speak of the Holy Spirit as God's breath within us to make us all we are meant to be and to help us live Godly lives.

My prayer is that God's Spirit will be at work in the lives of the young people we have spoken to this week.

Mayor Making

On Tuesday 19th May Oadby & Wigston Borough Council held its AGM. It has been my pleasure to serve for the past year as the Mayor's Chaplain. So it was for the last time that I went to the council offices to open the meeting in prayer. There were presentations to the Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year and then some closing thoughts from Sarah as she concluded her Mayoral year. Much thanks and appreciation was expressed to Sarah for all the hard work she has done through the year including managing to raise over £10,000 for her chosen charities.
Then followed the election and Mayor making for the new Mayor and his deputy. This was followed by a meal together at which I was invited to say Grace by the new Muslim Mayor as his Imam was unable to be present. For me brought the year to a fitting end as I was unable personally to be present a year ago to say Grace and had asked members of the congregation to go in my place.
We continue to pray for all those elected to office to serve both locally and nationally.

Christian Unity

Each year the Church nationwide holds a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It usually takes place over 8 days towards the end of January. This year in Oadby the Churches decided to try and hold this week in the days between Ascension (Thursday 14th May) and Pentecost (24th May) in the hope that the brighter, warmer evening make be more conducive to people coming out in the evening to pray.

Last night was St Paul's turn to host Unity Prayers. As we gathered together, we sang, listened to 2 passages from the Bible and spent time praying in groups. We prayed for the Persecuted Church, for the work of Missionaries who share faith and for ourselves as we seek to share our faith with others.

On Sunday evening St Paul's will be hosting 'Ignite', one of our services for young people to bring the youth of Oadby together and conclude our week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Christian Aid Walk

On Sunday 17th May an intrepid group from all the churches in Oadby gathered at St Paul's for a packed lunch and then to head off on a sponsored walk to support Christian Aid. Nourished and sustained by food and the drinks on offer and supported by prayer folks set off for either a 4 mile walk to Great Glen or a 10 mile circular walk that continued out to Burton Overy and came back to St Paul's.
The weather stayed fine for the afternoon and much good conversation was shared by the walkers.
Thanks go to all who organised the walk and took a group around the route making sure people had the chance to walk at a pace that suited them.
This small act of witness and solidarity joins with many other events that tie in with Christian Aid week and supports the good and faithful work Christian Aid do. Last week we reminded of this work by a speaker from Christian Aid at a United service hosted by the United Reformed Church.

More photos from Fun@4

He's got the whole world in His hands

Yesterday our children led their own Fun@4 'God made Space'. We built a 6 metre high rocket, iced biscuits, played games, had fun, sung songs and the talk was given by our 2 Daniel's. It was an excellent afternoon, great to see all the kids input and their friends which they had invited along.

What an amazing creator God and what amazing kids, thanks to Daniel, Daniel, Immy & Caleb.
Our next Fun@4 is on the 14th June.

Jakin

This month, the St Paul's charity is Jakin. On its website, Jakin describes its work to potential clients as follows:

Jakin, Pregnancy Care and Counselling is a local charity (reg no. 1099342) run by Christians.  We opened in 2001 in The Kings Centre, Wigston and now also operate out of other community centres who have invited us in. 

• Ø  We aim to offer a safe place to talk freely & confidentially, whatever your circumstances, race, age, sex, beliefs, culture, or background. Partners or family members are welcome. 
• Ø  We want to provide a service that anyone can access and so we do not charge for our counselling, although donations are always welcome : (link)   
• Ø   Trained counsellors or support workers will listen and offer emotional support - without judging or imposing their own views.
• Ø   Information will be given on all the options and the support that is available for each - including the contact details of medical centres if a client, who has chosen termination of pregnancy, does not want to go to her own doctor for referral.
• Ø  All our counsellors and support workers have been specifically trained in Pregnancy Choices and our long-term counsellors and support workers are specifically trained for Pregnancy Loss. The counsellors also hold diplomas in person-centred counselling.
• Ø   All our counsellors are DBS checked and receive ongoing training and supervision to ensure good practice.
• Ø   Our team work in accordance with the code of ethics of BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) & ACC (Association of Christian Counsellors).

We wish Jakin God’s every blessing in this important work.

Jakin website

Reporting the Action!

Becka, one of our young people, who finished university last June has spent the last six months in Mozambique with one of the Baptist Mission Society (BMS) Action Teams. Becka joined three gap year students, Rachel, Steve and Ben. Together, after initial training, they helped in the Kedesh orphanage – getting alongside children, teaching English and being of help in every practical way possible.

Now they are touring Britain, visiting their home and other churches, speaking about the orphanage, the Baptist Church in Mozambique and the country in general. This week they have been based at St Paul’s, visiting the activities here but also in schools and neighbouring churches. Last night, they visited one of the home groups. In the first half, they talked about their experiences and the country. Then, after tea or coffee, they lead a Bible study.

We then spent a time of prayer for them and for Mozambique, and lit candles around the outline of a cross.

Thank you for your visit, and we wish you God’s every the blessing in your future careers.

BMS Action Teams   Blog of the Kedesh, Mozambique Team