Magazine: From the Vicarage
The promise is for you and your children… (Acts 2:39)
As the old saying goes: Christmas is a time for children. It was appropriate then that we all met for prayer in church (on 19th November) to hear about and pray for the children’s work at St. Mark’s. Phillipa Munday, our children’s work co-ordinator, gave us a very clear view about what is going on at present, and shared with us some plans and dreams for the future. In addition to the normal Sunday groups, ably led by a team of volunteers, the work at St. Mark’s is aiming to reach out further. Examples include our links with uniformed groups and the great opportunity we have at our parade services.
We probably take for granted the way in which these groups come into church, but actually this is rare these days. Please support the family services and be there to welcome those for whom this is their only experience of worship.
Our afternoon cafe, San Marco’s, is a way for us to meet parents who use our rooms but don’t know much about us as a church. We are also increasingly in touch with the local primary schools, especially Brookhurst.
For the future, plans include a holiday club to be held in the last week of May 2009, and other events, including a magic show in February, which will build up the work and a sense of anticipation for the holiday club.
Please pray about these events and plans, and the desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a generation growing up with almost no knowledge of him.
I was shocked to read this week that 40% of churches which would describe themselves as evangelical have no provision at all for children. There is work to be done and ground to be regained!
Blessings,
Paul