Blog

Peter Gill shares some encouragements from recent home group studies

Ellen and I are privileged to be part of a lovely housegroup, which has continued throughout this challenging year, meeting mainly by means of Zoom each fortnight and WhatsApp. There are thirteen of us, spread over all age groups, although on average about nine of us meet online at any time. We have a chat, then learn about God’s character and ways from the Bible and how this might relate to us, and finish with prayer. We try to keep in touch between get-togethers by phoning folks, which for us, has been an unexpected blessing in these difficult days, as we usually have more
in-depth conversations on the phone than we did in pre-Covid days!

We have recently started a new series on Biblical characters who suffered times of isolation (thinking of lockdown), looking at why they went into isolation, how God taught and moulded them in these times, and how He used those people when they came out of isolation. We looked at Moses fleeing into the desert after murdering an Egyptian and his 40 years of relative isolation there as a shepherd. We saw how God graciously still used him to lead His people out of slavery (at age 80!), after humbling him and training him. We were encouraged to be reminded that our past does not have to define our future, and that our failures need not be final!

Most recently we looked at Elijah’s isolation (also in a desert) and how he was depressed, discouraged and exhausted. We saw God’s tender, compassionate handling of this burnt-out prophet, both in his physical, mental and spiritual needs. We reminded ourselves that God is not like a demanding employer who wants to extract the last ounce of productivity from his employees, but that He is our Heavenly Father who cares for us, knowing how much each of us can take.

In these unusual times where we cannot enjoy meeting together in the church building, we can still encourage each other from the people in the Bible who have not only held onto God in their great need, but have proved His strength and nearness to them and often being a great blessing to others as a result!

Peter Gill, home group leader

To join a home group, please email Laura Simpkins: discipleship@stsaviours.net

Pat Smart passes the baton to Nick Richards, our new treasurer

From our former treasurer …

Well everybody, it is with mixed feelings that I say goodbye as your church treasurer, but family circumstances dictate that, after seven years, it is time for me to step down. I want to thank everyone that has supported, guided, and prayed with me over the years. I have certainly seen some changes, not least the opening of the Link – what a blessing that extension has been to all of our church family – and all the events that took place raising funds in the first instance, and all the events that have and are still taking place to keep the place going.

As you know our church needs your support more than ever at the moment, with the pandemic making fundraising events very difficult at this time. But with God’s help and yours, we will come through, different but stronger. I will leave Nick Richards, our new treasurer, to tell you how … God Bless in your giving. He really, really loves a cheerful giver.

Pat Smart, former treasurer

From our new treasurer …

Hi, I am Nick Richards, your new treasurer. My wife Carol and our three children have been coming to St Saviour’s since we moved to Bournemouth in 2011. Our daughter Katy is now away at university, and our sons Oliver and James are in sixth form. You may have met Carol and me serving tea at the back of the church once a month.

I would like to thank Pat for all the help she has given me. Pat and Andy asked me to become treasurer – my tea-serving ability strong enough for them to overlook all the accountants, J.P. Morgan employees, retirees, and more active members of our congregation! (Luke1:48, 16:10)

We do not know when normal services will be resumed and our world is in flux. Meanwhile St Saviour’s is working online, our building requires maintenance, bills need paying as do our staff.

I have been incredibly impressed by everyone’s generosity and I know that those who are able to give will continue to do so. For example, our Harvest Gift Day in October raised £7,034, with a further £1,285 of gift aid to come. Helpfully many people give via the Parish Giving Scheme or by direct debit, and you can now make card payments over the internet or by card reader.

I look forward to when we can all meet again and worship God together.

Nick Richards, treasurer

Many thanks to Pat for her service over many years, and to Nick for his willingness to serve in this capacity.

Nigel Legrand considers the effects of coronavirus and encourages hope!

Due to the impact of coronavirus, the majority of us have found ourselves ‘locked’ into our own homes, whilst learning a new lifestyle for shopping, paying bills, keeping in touch with each other, and mastering how to wear a mask or visor. There are new words in our language: ‘click and collect’, Covid 19, social distancing, unprecedented times, pandemic, and shielding, to name but a few.

During this time we have seen so many changes. Being British and male I am amongst those geared not to ask for help! My wife Jennie had to virtually twist my arm to ask for help when our food supplies were running out and we were overwhelmed by the kindness shown by Fiona and David Thompson. Thank you David and Fiona.

During the early months of the lockdown, the community in Meon Road developed into a helping, caring, sharing neighbourhood, and many took part in the Thursday evening NHS appreciation sessions. Those evenings were an important part of thanking staff in the NHS for their phenomenal sacrifice to the UK. A very high price has been paid by many.

Earlier this year church members decorated homes at Pentecost with posters and banners to remind us that God’s Spirit is a mighty power.

Looking forward – so what’s the future?

We’ve all probably heard this answer: ‘I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.’ Christmas looms and it’s Jesus’ birthday! Whilst writing this we are back in another crisis period and we all need to take extra care, but also can I urge you to seek out ways of making the light of Jesus Christ to shine where you live. Why not this Christmas pray about new ideas to decorate your home, porches, windows, and front gardens, thanking the Father Almighty who sent His Son to this troubled world.

Ideas for Christmas

• What about playing more Christmas carols on your CDs and mobile phones?
• Let’s bring the ‘Jesus’ Birthday’ theme onto our windows at home.
• Why not give away small Christmas leaflets or books to friends?
• Make your own Christmas cards.
• Draw a big Christmas card to all your neighbours and put it in a window?

Our certainty is that the baby Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to seek and save the lost.

‘Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might …’ Ecclesiastes:9:10

Nigel Legrand, assistant minister

Caz Gatehouse tells us how we can light up our homes on 31 October

This year as we cannot hold our Light Party in church, so why not have one at home? Let’s light up our homes and shine out a message that Jesus is the Light of the World! Let our homes shine out differently to those around decorated for Halloween.

Light Party At Home packs

To help you do this I am putting together some ‘Light Party at Home’ packs, including:

• Ideas to decorate your home – including things you can make during the lead-up to the 31st. You may like to get coloured tissue paper, glue, plastic 2-litre bottles, and battery night lights (or nightlight candles would work if you use glass jars and put them where they won’t get knocked over!) to try out some of these!
• The Pumpkin Prayer – as you carve your pumpkin, think about what Jesus has done for us. Also ideas of pumpkin-carving designs to make your pumpkin shine out for Jesus!
• Craft activities for your party – all you need for the crafts will be included, apart from felt pens or colouring pencils, scissors, glue – I am assuming you have those.
• Games ideas
• How to access our ‘Blacklight Puppet Show’ online
• Ideas for sharing your pictures and short videos of your party with the church family!

Why not dress up in fancy dress too, something that represents ‘light’? You could send us some pictures of you in your costume creations and we could make them into a virtual ‘fancy dress parade’!

How to get your pack

If you would like a pack, please let me know over the coming week so we can get them to you:

• Email your address to me at caz@stsaviours.net
• Text me on 07948799332
• Or pick up a pack from me on Thursday 22 October, 4-5.30pm, in the Link – it would be helpful if you give me a quick message so I can make sure we have printed enough!

Looking forward to seeing how you celebrate your Light Party 2020 at home!!

Caz Gatehouse, children’s minister

Jez Ferguson brings us up to date with what’s going on in our youth groups

Over the last few months we have enjoyed seeing the young people on a regular basis, mostly over Zoom meetings, but we are starting to meet in person again. In Core we have just finished a series on the book of Romans where we have been focusing on God’s grace and love and how Paul expresses that for us. Since then we have started a series on ‘Big Questions’, where we ask questions like ‘Why does God allow suffering?’ and ‘How can we hear God better?’ We’ve been encouraging the young people to submit their big questions, so we can tackle them together as a group. We had our first ‘in person’ youth group on Sunday, which was wonderful, having not seen some of them in person for six months it was really helpful to check in with them properly, and we’re looking forward to doing more face to face stuff over the next few months.

Over the summer we had a Wednesday group each week. We followed a different game show format each week, and played shows like The Chase, Countdown and Million Pound Drop. This series came to a natural end once the young people went back to school, and I’m currently transitioning the group into more of a drop-in session. Young people can pop in for a while if they need to talk or pray about anything, but I hope that once Core has settled in, we will be able to run some sort of group in person. I’m not certain what this will look like yet, as I’m keen for it to be distinct from Core and we need to think about what we are able to do whilst observing government guidance and social distancing. Please pray for wisdom and guidance about that!

We have also welcomed back our Moorlands students. We have two of our previous Moorlands students returning, Eleanor and Lydia, and are also welcoming a new first year called Jordan. We’re really excited by what they bring to the team and look forward to their input into our youth ministry.
Thanks for your prayers and support.

Jez Ferguson, youth minister

Tom Burgess sends greetings from Suffolk and brings us up-to-date with what’s been happening since he left Moorlands

Hello all at St Saviour’s,

I hope you’re all doing well in these crazy times! It seems crazy that since I last saw you all in person was back in January!

Since then a lot has happened – I’ve finished Moorlands with a 2:1, and started my new job. I’m back in Suffolk working as a support worker for teenage male asylum seekers. These asylum seekers live out in the community and I support them in their day-to-day lives, getting them ready for when they become independent, get status, and live on their own.
I’m absolutely loving this job. I never thought that I would be working with these types of people, but I know that God has put me in this job for a reason and I’m letting him use me in every aspect of this job. I get to see them grow to be incredible young men, and listen to what they want to be and what they want to do. Most of the boys have come from horrible parts of the world and have come on their own. This has to be the hardest part of the job when you listen to their stories of how they’ve got to the UK. But they are all so excited to be in the UK and feel so safe here which is good to hear.

As I continue in this job, please pray that I continue to show God’s love to these boys. A lot of the boys have other religions or don’t know Jesus, so please pray that I’m able to share the word to them through the work I’m doing.

I plan to be in this job for a while, but some of you may know that the dream is to go back to Saddleback in California for the long term. I had the most incredible time doing my block placement in Saddleback, and was upset that it came to an end because of Covid. I know that this placement was just a taster and God has a bigger plan for me out there. When things go back to a normal, I will start planning on going back, so please pray for guidance for this as well.

Many thanks,

Tom Burgess, former Moorlands student