'Held by love'

Joan's reflections following our morning looking at Zacchaeus;


I would like to share this with you.

I have been reflecting on the story of Zacchaeus, how Jesus saw him and called out to him and spent time with him at his house.
A few years ago God spoke to me through this story and reminded me of a time in my life when I was a child. I had climbed up a tree and got stuck. Stuck with fear. I could not move. I called out and my brother came to my rescue. He climbed up the tree and when he reached me, put his hands on mine, and my feet on his and gently inch by inch he guided me safely down.
In this same way Jesus rescued me. Gradually and gently, bit by bit he guided me through a process of healing, healing my fears, my pride, the issues that clouded my view of him and his of me.
As I reflect I can see his amazing redemptive work through my journey with him. In each letting go I found love, forgiveness, acceptance. In each letting go I found release, purpose and a wonderful sense of belonging to his family. I discovered a God who is always there through difficulty or ease, who teaches and corrects, affirming his love. A God who I can call father.
Jesus' victory over death meant that he came down from his 'tree' into to new life. In the same way Jesus wants this for us, not to be stuck in our old ways but to be turned around and in turn show others the same way.

Autumn plans...

I know it's a little depressing to be thinking of Autumn and Christmas before August is out but as I'm away on my summer hols for the next two weeks, I thought I'd get some info to you regarding our Autumn Sunday plans. In the 'links' section you can view a document called 'PCC Autumn Sundays' which contains an outline of the theme "Feast and Famine", the thoughts behind it and the practicalities of who's doing what.

The table at the bottom of the document is a first draft so apology's if you're down for something that you've not been asked to do!

Happy rest of your summer! Jonny

More to download

Hi all, as promised you'll find a recording of Richards talk on Zacchaeus under 'PCC talks' and his notes (apology's for the formatting) in the 'Links' section further down. Don't forget the recordings of our Sunday morning talks are only available for 2 weeks and then by request to John R only.

We will be meeting over the summer months to plan our themes and programme for
September through to Christmas. If you can contribute in anyway or have some thoughts on our by-weekly gatherings then do get in touch.

Ta ta for now!

God's concern for the poor

Our good friend Paul Sanderson recently spoke at Wiston House during a prayer evening. He shared his thoughts on God's concern for the poor. You can listen to this by clicking on the link on right hand side entitled Paul Sanderson - God's heart for the poor.

“The Guest House” etc

Hi all, you'll see that Sue's 'Mary Magdalene' talk is available for download. Also Sue's notes are on the available under the 'links section also on the right.

Now this, also from Sue...

You may have noticed a poem called “The Guest House” in the latest YAK, which I (Sue R) put in. After a chat with someone who’d read it, and saw it from a different perspective, I thought others might be interested in the context of the poem and why I hoped it might be helpful. Any other comments welcome!

I came across the poem “The Guest House” when on a course for Spiritual Directors in London , in a session on the “Dark Night of the Soul” and depression. It was written by a 13^th Century Sufi mystic, Jellaluddin Rumi. I found its language of openness and realism refreshing – from the perspective of facing whatever comes our way – the “praise in all circumstances” way, rather than trying to ignore, or run away from the “hard” stuff which can enable us to grow. As it says in James 1:2 (The Message)

^“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

Other comments welcome!

Blessings,

Sue

to view the poem click here

The Privilege of Prayer by Billy Graham... via Bob!

I got home from work tonight to find a brown re-used envelope on the door mat. A re-used envelope? It must be uncle Bob! Inside was a response to my request on Sunday for blog items other than dates & info. With it a note that read ' Sorry I couldn't email it to you but these words from Billy Graham on prauer have helped me...' They are indeed really helpful and inspiring so read on...

The Privilege of prayer

Ask and you will receive,
that your joy may be full
John 16:24

What a Privilege is ours: the Privilege of Prayer! Just think of it: You and I have the incredible Privilege of approaching the God of the Universe, "the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy" (Isa 57:15) We can only do this because Jesus Christ has opened the way.

We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving.

We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud.

We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and doubting.

We are to pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient.

Pray believing, in the promise of God's Word that "if we ask anything according to His will. He hears us" (1 John 5:14).

Thanks Bob. Great Stuff.

Our Day Away at Dalesdown next Sunday, 21st June.

Hi all, Our Church day at Dalesdown away edges ever closer. Here’s a provisional outline of the day…

10.00 Welcome [Kate?] and a couple of songs with the children [Rich]

10.30 Children leave, we break out the coffee and biscuits and welcome Billy & Caroline Kennedy

11.15 Input from Chris Seaton

12.00 Worship (through song!) [led by Rich and Jonny]

12.30 Lunch and discuss chat & chew agenda [overseen by Kate who has the list of chatters?]

13.30 Break/Family time
14.30 Map our journeys [led by Naomi?]
15.30 Close up [led by Kate?] & clear up [all hands to the pump]
16.00 Go home

Also... as per usual you can download and listen to the latest talk from our Sunday meetings by clicking on the link on the right hand side of this page.

Chat & Chew

Hello dear All

Just clearing up a slight confusion about our next “Chat ‘n Chew”! There was a possibility to have it following our meeting this Sunday (14^th); but it seems more practical to fit in a special Ch ‘n Ch slot at our Day Away together at Dalesdown the following Sunday, 21^st June.

Re the Day Away, Pat has kindly agreed to coordinate contributions for our lunch together at Dalesdown . So please be aware you’ll probably be asked to bring something – spuds, fillings, salad, pud, drinks etc – whatever’s needed. If we all chip in it’ll be simple.

Blessings,

Sue