Magazine for September 2010
Are you ready?
Even for those of us who left school some years ago, September often still feels like the beginning of a new year. Schools, colleges and universities begin the new academic year, but many of us feel that sense of a new beginning as the summer comes to a close and the autumn begins to emerge.
For those of you heading back to school or work after a summer break, perhaps you will have bought some new pens and pencils, or uniform or school bag? Perhaps you will have spent some time before you head back into the office and the routine of term-time preparing yourself for the work you will be doing, or packing a briefcase?
In all of that I hope you feel a sense of readiness, and of being prepared. Over the summer we have thought about ‘being ready’ for life’s highs and lows, in the invitation to the Ephesians to put on the armour of God – the armour we are invited to wear that brings protection from evil and safety in God for each day (Ephesians 6).
So whether you are heading back to school or not this September, perhaps we might all take the opportunity to ready ourselves for this new season? Not just in the practical matters of life, but maybe also in the spiritual too.
Why not consider a new beginning in your spiritual life by committing afresh to reading the bible or praying with a friend regularly? Or perhaps consider a small group if you are not already in one; these are great environments for growth in God and pastoral support of one another (see the notice board in church for more information).
Or perhaps now is the time to review all that you are doing in the life of St Mark’s? Are there things you need to stop or hand on? And have you the energy or passion or time to take on a new challenge or to use your gifts in a new way?
There are so many ways to get involved in the community at St Mark’s – have a chat with one of us or take a look at the notice sheet or notice boards for more ideas. One new thing you might consider is the opportunity to pray for our local schools? Please have a chat with me if you would like more information.
Whatever season in life you are in, let us enter this new season of Autumn together with a readiness. Readiness that comes from being secure in God, and readiness to join with God in all that he is doing in this community and further afield. And pray with me, that we might be ready for all that God has in store for us in the coming (academic) year!
Rev’d Ellie Clack
Curate