Monthly Update

Drop in here each month to keep in touch with what has happened recently and what is coming up. 

NewS Highlight

I've recently joined two friends to read through a book called Camping with Kierkegaard: Faithfulness as a Way of life, by the philosophy professor J Aaron Simmons. We are just in the first chapter: "What is worthy of your finitude?" and I think Lent is probably the very best time of the Christian year to ask such a question.

In the 40 days of Lenten preparation before Easter, we are encouraged to give up something in the normal routine of life, not because that thing is bad, but in order to carve out time, space and energy to answer the big questions. The urgency of every-day-life leaves us with little space or energy to wrestle with, and figure out, the deeper things: "Are we becoming the person we genuinely want to be? Are we headed towards the things which are worth our precious, limited, time?"

I'm very glad to be doing this reading with a couple of good companions. I need someone to remind me that this is not meant to be a pity-party where I get to avoid the real work by wallowing in "the meaninglessness of it all". Honesty about how precious time is, and accountability around the things I give that time too is very hard work. I surprise my self with the creative ways I invent to avoid that work! Having the discipline of regular check-in's means that Lent will change us so that when Easter comes, our relationship and communication with Jesus will be deeper. Healthy Lenten preparations mean that our communion with Christ and one another is much more meaningful; it means that, with God's help, we are growing into people who live lives worthy of the precious time that is ours.

This Lenten season, I pray that St. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians would be real to all of us: "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power" (Ephesians 1:17-19, NRSV).

Wishing you a meaningful Lent,

Stephen

Up coming events

Bay Life Congregation Annual General Meeting All welcome: Sunday 18th February at 11.15am immediately following worship. Any items of business should be notified in writing to Yvonne Robinson, Secretary by Sunday 11th of Feb if possible.

World Day of Prayer 2024: Friday 1st of March at 10 am. This year’s country of focus is Palestine

Easter Services: 

Please visit this page often to stay tuned with upcoming events.