Annika McKillen, Local Co-ordinator, writes…

Ten souls arrived on our doorstep.
They carried gifts for every one of us.
They had a message and vision:
Amazing Grace.

Glastry Team

Melanie McCloskey, Tom Wilson, Jenny Munroe, Pat Jamison, Pamela Gibson, Sam Davison
 
Michelle Kennedy, Carole Lambe, Andy Gibson, David Lambe

Stew and Meeting on Friday Evening - The Lay Witness Team broke bread and prayed in the vestry before the first Meeting, collected their thoughts and sought guidance from the Holy Spirit. Some had never met before and yet they emerged triumphantly, like a group of long lost friends sharing Unity, Care, Fellowship and abundant Love in the Name of the Lord.  

We were asked to consider what did we really expect from the event as a congregation. To see the work of the Holy Sprit in our lives? To bring someone to Jesus? What did we want to happen most in our church? Why were we there? Because our Minister wanted us to?

That evening there was an outpouring of joy and pain with honest and very touching Witness from the Team.

On Saturday morning at 7.30am (we are a hardy lot) our menfolk arrived for a walk in the grey dawn before the Men’s Breakfast.

At 11.00am the Fellowship Mornings took place over coffee and biscuits in three homes - led by Team Members.

The scene was set by a story that centred around a suitcase of guilt, a sports bag of competitiveness and a sack bulging with hurts of the past or even a shoulder bag for fears of the future. In order to run the race that is ahead of us, we need to cast aside everything that hinders us and keep our eyes focused on what lies ahead.

The core issue was that we discover that we are carrying so much of our own “Stuff” that we cannot receive the gifts that He wants to give us.

How can you offer comfort if you are disheartened? How can you point the way if you are feeling lost?

David led my group with Michelle and they listened to both what was said and what was not, one as important as the other.

By 2.30pm the Youth Event started: Michelle and Jenny showed a film that the 8 - 13 years olds loved, called “The Mighty Evan” with discussion afterwards.

During both Friday and Saturday evenings there were Children’s events: it was about Creation and a book about the carpenter who creates things just as God creates us. The kids made clay creations to be proud of just like God is proud of His Creation.

Jenny and Michelle also prayed individually with them, some as young as 4 years and they were asked to think what the weekend meant to them and what God was saying to them. Their earnest participation was borne out in one of the 7 year olds standing up in front of the whole church on Sunday evening to tell the Church what he had prayed for!

One of them thought about “cave men on top of a train with sparks flying”. Michelle had prayed about that and felt that the cave men were the older congregation members pushed forward by the younger ones on the train!!  As old, Jenny hastened to add, as she counted herself...

The congregational Saturday evening meal started like Friday’s - there were soups, bread and apple pies carried in to the church by the amazing Catering Team, autumnal lavender and Chinese lantern flower arrangements with homegrown apples decorating the tables (picked by Sharon, who is a gem) and hot water boiling ferociously making the glasses misty where the cold juice hit them. Children ran in and out.

Jehova Nissi!

‘The Lord is my Banner’ and under the sensitive guidance and prayer of the team, hearts and minds opened and many came forward to be prayed for during the evening Meeting.

The witness was personal, warm, sometimes funny and easy to listen to, as was the tremendous praise and music. It rose to the ceiling but did not disappear as it settled gently back in our hearts.

Thank you, Team for listening and praying with us.

When Sunday came our Presbyterian friends came and took over the Children’s Church so that the Sunday School Teachers could enjoy the service and to give Michelle and Jenny an opportunity to take part.

What did this do for Glastry?

We became closer and I believe more open to each other’s needs. Our neighbours’ burdens were shared and through prayer we will be even stronger and even better Christians, loving the Lord our God with all our heart and mind and strength and also loving each other. 

Now the “F” word is banned.
No more: “I am Fine” when asked how you are.
Say how it is.
Take time to listen to the answer - listening is great Witness.
Value Love - Value each other
God is Love
For He is our Father
We are his children - carried in his arms just like children: babes in arms.

Keep Company with Me and you will learn to live freely and lightly. 
Matt 11  Message Version.