WELCOME	Archive
Alja writes: This September we will have some major celebrations. The first Sunday in September we will officially welcome Julie Withers as Pastoral Worker, in our parish. Pastoral workers, like Readers, are officially licensed by the bishop. A pastoral worker, as the title indicates, will focus more on the pastoral care in a parish. Julie is one of the first group licensed in this diocese and it is an official recognition of the work she has already done for years. The training of pastoral workers is similar to that of Readers, but more geared towards the work they are intending to do. The other celebration, our Patronal Festival will be on 18 September and we are delighted to welcome Bishop Nigel as our guest celebrant. He will confirm our confirmation candidates on that same Sunday and it is again an important moment in the life of the parish as we also welcome and celebrate with those who are being confirmed. The preparation classes will be attended by a number of people, who want to brush up their knowledge and deepen their faith, they will do this alongside the candidates. These very events mark the fact that St Cross is still very much alive, but how can we make others aware that belonging to a church, helps us to grow in faith. We want to obey Jesus' call to share his Body and Blood and how can we help others to cross the threshold to receive the same blessing? For quite a number of people the thought of attending a church service is as difficult as it is for others to go to the “bookies”. They feel awkward and sometimes embarrassed, and because they do not always know what is expected of them they feel uncomfortable . They do not know other people, they don't have a feeling of belonging. St Cross is known for its friendly and warm welcome, newcomers are looked after and invited for coffee after the service. But it takes more to get the feeling of belonging: new people need to be brought fully into sharing in the life of the church. This needs time invested on our part in building relationships with those who dare to step over our threshold. We need to build and enjoy friendships and to work together to all share in the various tasks needed. The PCC will have a day away at the end of September and amongst other things we will look at strategies to help open our church for newcomers. Our aim will be to make it easier to cross that threshold, so that we can share with even more people our own joy. Our joy of being children of the one Father in heaven. I wish us all a good start of the new season.

WELCOME

Archive

Alja writes:

This September we will have some major celebrations. The first Sunday in September we will officially welcome Julie Withers as Pastoral Worker, in our parish. Pastoral workers, like Readers, are officially licensed by the bishop. A pastoral worker, as the title indicates, will focus more on the pastoral care in a parish.

Julie is one of the first group licensed in this diocese and it is an official recognition of the work she has already done for years. The training of pastoral workers is similar to that of Readers, but more geared towards the work they are intending to do.

The other celebration, our Patronal Festival will be on 18 September and we are delighted to welcome Bishop Nigel as our guest celebrant. He will confirm our confirmation candidates on that same Sunday and it is again an important moment in the life of the parish as we also welcome and celebrate with those who are being confirmed.

The preparation classes will be attended by a number of people, who want to brush up their knowledge and deepen their faith, they will do this alongside the candidates.

These very events mark the fact that St Cross is still very much alive, but how can we make others aware that belonging to a church, helps us to grow in faith. We want to obey Jesus' call to share his Body and Blood and how can we help others to cross the threshold to receive the same blessing?

For quite a number of people the thought of attending a church service is as difficult as it is for others to go to the “bookies”. They feel awkward and sometimes embarrassed, and because they do not always know what is expected of them they feel uncomfortable . They do not know other people, they don't have a feeling of belonging. St Cross is known for its friendly and warm welcome, newcomers are looked after and invited for coffee after the service. But it takes more to get the feeling of belonging: new people need to be brought fully into sharing in the life of the church. This needs time invested on our part in building relationships with those who dare to step over our threshold. We need to build and enjoy friendships and to work together to all share in the various tasks needed.

The PCC will have a day away at the end of September and amongst other things we will look at strategies to help open our church for newcomers.

Our aim will be to make it easier to cross that threshold, so that we can share with even more people our own joy. Our joy of being children of the one Father in heaven.

I wish us all a good start of the new season.