Pastor's Report 2009

This year has been a challenging one personally having to cope with the loss of my brother in November 2008 and my mother's fall a few weeks later. It was good to know that Ian was ready and willing to take up my responsiblities as I dealt with these things. I would like to say that things have improved, but continually through the year we, as a family, have had knock after knock with illness and circumstances.

I know, in the wider church family, we have suffered with tragedy, family crisis, painful partings and countless illnesses! It has been a busy year pastorally, but we have seen countless blessings along the way!

The Sanctuary Tea Room and Gift Shop was relaunched in September 2008 and has gone from strength to strength with many friendships beign built, and opportunity to serve the community and families now coming to our church as a result! The cost has been high from a personal perspective, but nevertheless, the blessings have far exceeded that.

Ian headed up a Holiday Club with a team from the Studley churches and what a success it was! So much so, he has been led to do it again! Please pray that all involved will be blessed mightyly as they serve in this way.

We had Rob and Marion White over for a weekend back in the spring who both challenged us and encouraged us through what they brought to us from the Lord. This was followed by a church weekend away to the Pioneer Centre in Cleobury Mortimer, where it rained from the time we got there until we packed the cars to come home. That said, the facilities were excellent and so the rain didn't dampen out spirits! It was a good time of fellowship and fun and seeking God together with our regional minister, Revd Keith Judson and his wife Jill, coming along for some of it.

We have started a Church Café once a month on Sunday evenings to encourage non-churched folk to come along for a coffee and have a chat in an informal environment. Pray that the Lord will continue to lead us in its development.

All in all, we have seen God move amongst us healing physically and emotionally preparing us for the work he has ahead of us in 2010. Let us pray that we all respond to His call as we seek to serve Him and bring Him glory this year.

God's grace and peace to you.

Pastor Pete.

Peter Brookes, 20/03/2010