Chads News - 5th June 2025

 Dear Church Family,
A few weeks ago at our vision Sunday I shared the sense we have of God calling us to create space for him to work in our lives and our church. Reading this edition of Chads News, I realised there’s a lot to share as we head into June and July and it feels like we’ve crammed a lot of information for you here. I admit I was concerned for a moment - are we disobeying God’s call? I don’t believe so, we trust that each of the events and initiatives we’re sharing here are about creating spaces for us to meet with God and with each other. June and July’s calendar has filled up, but within each of these gatherings I hope there is space to meet with God.

As we head into the summer, it is a great time for relationship and building community, one way we can do this is through Gather and Share on Sunday 6th July. We’re trying this out as a way to create space for new friendships to form, to take the step of inviting others from church, old friends or new, to spend time together. That date is a great opportunity to do this, but only one of many.

A key part of building community in St Chads for many years has been NewWine, I was reminisc-ing with my boys on the school run this morning how much we love those evenings when we sit around together under canvas laughing and sharing with our church family. If you haven’t yet booked for NewWine (30th July-4th August) then do join us, there are many in St Chads who can share of the amazing ways they’ve met with God there and deepened connection in church. So in this season, whether the diary is full or empty, we are seeking to be obedient to God’s call to create space.

For Dave, being obedient to God’s call has led to ordained ministry (is God calling you to that?) On Saturday 14th June at 4pm he will be priested in Chester Cathedral. (I won’t explain here why clergy are ordained first as deacons and a year later as priests, ask one of us and we can try to explain the Church of England!!) You are very welcome to come to the service and whether you make it or not please be praying for Dave and his family. He is such a blessing to us and we celebrate this step forwards knowing that the anointing of God’s Spirit in his ministry will lead to even more fruit.

Finally, this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. When God’s people gathered to pray in unity, extraordinary things happened when the Holy Spirit landed upon them. We pray that he will visit us too, to send us out boldly to share his good news in our community.

With love,

Richard

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