Dear friends,

Inner Peace is a lovely idea. Yet, many of us find it hard to achieve. In the biblical context, the experience of peace in Christ is often portrayed as a profound sense of calm that transcends understanding. This kind of peace comes from a deep connection with God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is described as a gift that believers receive, not as the world gives, but as Christ imparts. So often in life we are encourages to stop, and still our minds, to in other words ‘empty ourselves’ so that we might feel peace. What if then, rather than emptying, we need a filling! Perhaps we need to fill ourselves up on God’s love found through Christ and that being filled and overflowing with God’s love that’s how we find an unshakable peace? The apostle Paul frequently speaks of this peace that surpasses all human understanding in his letters, emphasizing its ability to guard our hearts and minds. Perhaps then, if we enter into prayer, and meditation on Scripture, and a reliance on God's promises, then we will truly find and cultivate a divine peace that anchors the soul in turbulent times and saturates our lives more wholly than any attempt at ‘emptying’ may do.

Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”

May you each experience God’s mighty and steadfast peace this week and evermore.

Love,

Revd Grant

Join us this weekend

You will be most welcome at any of our services across our beautiful churches:

Confirmations Postponed!

Sadly, Bishop Tim Wambunya, who was due to join us this Sunday for a special confirmation service is unable to be here. Very sadly, his brother suddenly passed away in Kenya. Bishop Tim sends his apologies and we have re-booked the confirmation service for 9th June 2024. We will re-advertise the service nearer the time. Please pray for Bishop Tim and his family during this sad time.

A message from Jo Eley

Last week, Mrs Jo Eley stepped down from being St. Stephen’s Churchwarden after 6 years of dedicated service. Members of St. Stephen’s arranged a collection to purchase Jo a few items as a token of our huge appreciation for all that she has done. The gifts included garden centre vouchers, a Bible verse calendar, a sweet ornament of a girl cuddling a horse (Jo’s favourite animal!) and then we even twinned a loo in her honour. Being a churchwarden is a very practical job too!

Jo wrote a lovely message of thanks to us all: a few snippets here: “Thank you so much for my retirement gifts…They are and will be lovely and I will cherish them…I love it, thank you…I am rather overwhelmed… following all those so generous gifts, you have still managed to get me the Twinned Toilet! Thank you. I will have to think of the best place to hang the certificate! Please, Grant, would you put a note in the weekly newsletter to thank everyone who so generously contributed”.

Thank you Jo!

Cafe on Monday

Join us at St. Stephen’s on Monday for our weekly Cafe from 10am onwards. This week, all proceeds raised shall be going to the Grace School - one of our mission partners. Providing high quality education in South Africa. There will be delicious refreshments, lovely conversation and an opportunity to find out more about the school and how it makes an impacts. Come and join us.

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