Magazine for July 2010
Farewell letter from Claire Farley
What adventures I have had here at St Mark’s! Like the day we went to Ikea, and the young people tried all the beds and sofas. Like the recent barbecue we had at the Munday’s house, with the older young people from CROSSroads, and they sat round singing and playing guitar and chatting happily and welcoming the new people into the group.
Like the Confirmation service in May, when Bishop Christopher did an excellent job of leading and speaking and somehow made a really traditional service into an accessible experience of God for those who were visiting as family members or friends without a faith of their own.
Doing things you’ve never done before is a policy I adopted, as we bought our first house, and I know God has given me – as Youth Pastor here – many opportunities to be brave and step out of my comfort zone.
Firstly, I had never been involved in or led family services before, or actually many services at all, let alone preached. So that was all new. Secondly I had never applied for funding and actually received some, and thirdly I had never been part of renovating anything, let alone a youth room in a public building!
Through these experiences I have prayed a lot! And grown in confidence and ability, and I am so grateful to those of you who have helped me learn and grow. God has used all of you in so many ways to encourage and shape me as I have pressed on with the calling he has for my life. Thank you.
And I’d like to say a special thank you to the young people, because they have been up for being part of the adventure too. They have been used by God to speak to me, and they are shaping St Mark’s into all God has in mind as they get stuck into the youth work activities in Pathfinders, CROSSroads and the new year 9 discipleship group.
Young people can be a bit hard to spot, but when you do see them, pray for them and encourage them, but also listen to them and talk to them because they are inspiring.
Thank you, to you young people.
Claire
A prayer by Pathfinders, for Pathfinders.
Dear God,
Thank you for a place to come together and share our thoughts about you. Thank you for the diversity in our group and our gifts and talents.
Please help us to dig deeper into Christianity as we get older. Let us help to show your love through our actions in our everyday lives.
We want to make a difference in the world. Please help us be strong so we can influence others.
Sorry for the times we let you down, please forgive us and help us to keep going.
Amen.