Welcome to St. Nick’s on Sunday 10th December
Dear Friends,
It was so lovely to be with you on Sunday as we celebrated the church’s 95th anniversary of the formation of the parish! The Eucharist was beautiful and the meal delicious. But it was the company that really made it. I do enjoy chatting to you all, and of course this time of year is full of chances to socialise, for some of us. For others of course this is a difficult time of year. Many people are lonely, and would love the chance to get out and meet others. Others, such as those facing the festivities for the first time after the death of a loved one find the jollity of it all difficult to cope with.
And then there are introverts , like me. I love meeting and spending time with people, but I know I have to build in down time on my own, or else it all becomes too much.
I find some time in the wilderness of silence and solitude essential. It’s in that silence I find it easiest to hear God’s still small voice. Many others have found this to be true with the earliest monasteries built in the desert.
In Sundays reading we meet John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness, quite a busy wilderness as crowds flocked to hear him. John wore camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey, no parties and feasting for him. But of course John was pointing the way to his cousin Jesus. Jesus loved a good party and ate with all sorts of people. But he too knew the need to retreat to the wilderness to pray and spend time with his father.
In this season, perhaps above all we need to find the way that works for us. The balance between enjoying each others company and those human connections and the need for space in the wilderness.. And let us try and help others find that balance, seeking out the lonely and offering sensitivity to those who are struggling with the season.
With love and prayers,
Cate
Our Christingle Service on Sunday 10th December begins at 10.30 am. We look forward to welcoming back Rev. Dr. K. Augustine Tanner-Ihm to preside and preach at our service. Our organist and MD, Ollie Mills will accompany the hymns and lead the singing. Here are details of the reading and hymns for the service
Nestled in the heart of the communities of East Didsbury and Burnage, St Nicholas Church stands as a beacon of faith, hope, and love. Under the devoted leadership of our Lead Minister, Revd Dr Augustine Tanner-Ihm, OMS, we are a vibrant, inclusive, and intergenerational Christian community committed to living out the bold faith of Jesus Christ.
