Dear friends,
The new term has started – not just for schools, colleges and universities, but for all of us. As we get ready to move into autumn, various groups and meetings are restarting,.
This year there is talk in the air of ‘getting back to normal’, but I’m not sure that we can ever go back. We can only build on what has gone before, whether it was good or bad. There are a lot of positives from before the pandemic on which to build, as well as a few good things that came out of the pandemic, alongside some difficult things that we need to contend with.
Our perceptions of the world have probably changed more in the last three years than for a long time. The pandemic eradicated a lot of the certainties that we had built up and the war in Ukraine has pulled down even more. The death of the Queen is also the end of an era. On top of everything else, the cost of living crisis will be with us for some time.
In all this swirling change, we are fortunate to have a rock on which to stand – or to cling to, dependant on how we are feeling. ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.’ (Psalm 18:2)
Since we know that our God is steadfast and sure and will not let our foot be moved (Psalms 36 &121), then there are only two things that we need to do. The first is to stand firm on our rock and the second is to follow God’s ways, as we search for our path forward.
At this time, one of the best ways of following our God is to reach out to those in most need. Over the summer, a number of you did this by getting involved in the distribution of lunches to those who are eligible for free school meals. Some were getting up early to prepare the lunches, others were collecting them and taking them to distribution points, with still more working to actually give out the lunches.
This year two of our churches were distribution points: Red Lane for the second year and Rosehill for the first time. In addition, the Children’s Centre at Tonge Moor was also a distribution point.
The volunteers ranged in age from twenties to late eighties. There was a role for everyone and folk from at least three other churches helped at Rosehill. As people age, we’ll need to do this work as a partnership, if we are to continue it. The need is great and we have buildings in the most deprived areas of Bolton, so the way is clear to follow God’s call to feed the hungry.
If you are able to sit and tick names off a list, or put sandwiches and fruit into pre-packed bags, then you could be part of this. If you are fit enough to carry trays and able to drive, then you could help in another way. The mid-day slot is from 10:45-12 and the delivery slot can be early enough that you can still be at work for 9. Even when I delivered to both churches in one go, I was finished by 9:30.
Let’s think and pray about how we can come together to keep this going, whenever the next session is, because Urban Outreach may well try to do something more, even before next summer.
May God bless you all this term,
Jacky