A message from our Vicar
August 2017
Signs’ of God’s Kingdom
“Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).
Well done to all students and school teachers and staff as they worked hard this academic year and finally they are off for summer holiday. I wish them and all of you a great refreshing, relaxing family time.
During this summer we will be reflecting on God’s kingdom and its signs around us. “Kingdom” is a dear word to all of us, British people, as we belong to one. Kingdom is more than just a place to live in; it is a home that lives in us, an anthem to be heartily chanted, a loyalty offered to a king/queen, and qualities and welfare to be enjoyed. In the same way Jesus came to our earth to introduce God’s kingdom to us. God, the creator of everything, is himself the king of such kingdom. Jesus put the kingdom of God on display as He walked this earth- through His words, works and wonders. He taught His church after Him to keep seeking this kingdom of love, light, life, peace and hope so that the reality of His Kingdom continues coming here and now on our earth as it is in heaven.
While we enjoy God’s creation this summer, let us be encouraged by the fact that not only God’s preferred and promised future for us is to enjoy the full measure of His kingdom; but also that we ourselves who belong to this kingdom are tokens and signs through whom God chose to bring His kingdom on earth. To engage in bringing God’s kingdom of love into our community is a spiritual journey of discernment. We as a parish take time this summer to learn and reflect, while we consider joining the PMC (Partnership of missional church) process this autumn.
“…The Kingdom always lies beyond us.
That is what we are about.
We plant a seed that will one day grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
…
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Short form of Prayer of Archbishop Oscar Romero
on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).
Well done to all students and school teachers and staff as they worked hard this academic year and finally they are off for summer holiday. I wish them and all of you a great refreshing, relaxing family time.
During this summer we will be reflecting on God’s kingdom and its signs around us. “Kingdom” is a dear word to all of us, British people, as we belong to one. Kingdom is more than just a place to live in; it is a home that lives in us, an anthem to be heartily chanted, a loyalty offered to a king/queen, and qualities and welfare to be enjoyed. In the same way Jesus came to our earth to introduce God’s kingdom to us. God, the creator of everything, is himself the king of such kingdom. Jesus put the kingdom of God on display as He walked this earth- through His words, works and wonders. He taught His church after Him to keep seeking this kingdom of love, light, life, peace and hope so that the reality of His Kingdom continues coming here and now on our earth as it is in heaven.
While we enjoy God’s creation this summer, let us be encouraged by the fact that not only God’s preferred and promised future for us is to enjoy the full measure of His kingdom; but also that we ourselves who belong to this kingdom are tokens and signs through whom God chose to bring His kingdom on earth. To engage in bringing God’s kingdom of love into our community is a spiritual journey of discernment. We as a parish take time this summer to learn and reflect, while we consider joining the PMC (Partnership of missional church) process this autumn.
“…The Kingdom always lies beyond us.
That is what we are about.
We plant a seed that will one day grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
…
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Short form of Prayer of Archbishop Oscar Romero
Revd Adel Shokralla
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