‘Food for thought, faith for life’
The Gedling Deanery Mission took place from the 11th to the 20th of March. The Diocese of Southwell put together a team including Canon Mark Brown and Bishop George Cassidy to take part in this mission with churches. During the 9 days various events were organised in churches and other venues across the Deanery.
Pick an event:
Highlights of the mission included a Musical Evening at St James. Musicians from the congregation played and sang music in a variety of styles from original songs about their faith and relationship with God, through popular light classics and contemporary songs to jazz improvisations. Each performer spoke briefly about why they had chosen to perform their pieces and the enthusiastic and appreciative audience had the chance to mingle during the interval while enjoying wine and nibbles. The church is considering running a similar event in the future.
On Sunday 13th March the congregation at St James were treated to a reflection on 'Jesus and doughnuts'. Vicar of St. James’, the Rev'd Phil Williams told his church: "Jesus was prepared to meet with different people, so that they could hear the free offer of forgiveness and a fresh start with God. Giving away free ring doughnuts is our way of saying the gift of eternal life costs you nothing because the price has been paid by someone who fills the centre of our lives!"
Meanwhile the Bishop
of Southwell joined hundreds of bargain-hunters at Colwick Race Course car boot
sale, when he set up stall with members of St. James’ Church, to surprise
shoppers by giving away free doughnuts. Many people took the opportunity to
write down a prayer request
and to take a copy of
the award-winning C
Magazine. Church
member and organiser, Lucy Drury said: "We're not going to the car boot to tell
people that they should be in church - we're going to meet people where they are
in their lives, and share with them that God freely offers his love - and the
doughnuts are a sign of that." As a result of the success of this event the
local churches would like to organise a Christian presence at the car boot sale
on a regular basis.
This event was held at Top Venue, Mapperley (above the Co-op). The idea behind the evening was that people would have the opportunity to submit questions which would be answered by a panel of God’s representatives, interspersed with the opportunity to socialise and listen to Jazzshift, a local Jazz band. The questions submitted were quite far ranging:
1) Questions about the nature of God and the World ...
Do you have a mother?
Did Adam have a belly button?
Why did you create people?
How did you make the world from nothing?
The panel provided answers with opportunities for comment from the floor and one to one continuation of the discussions during the refreshment and music breaks. All in all this was a successful evening.
On Sunday 20th the evening service at St James was given to a celebration of all that had happened in the Deanery mission. Members of other churches gave testimony and feedback from other events. We thanked God for the opportunity to witness in our local communities and prayed for all who had been touched by Him during the mission.
Those still seeking Jesus who have been challenged to think as a result of the mission.
The new contacts church members have made.
That the idea of a Christian presence by local churches at the car boot sale might become a reality.
For the clergy as they consider how to plan follow up events.
That all involved in the mission would have a fresh vision of making "Food for thought … Faith for Life."