From Christ Church, Epsom Common PCC Away 16th November 2024.
We reflected on the letters to the seven churches in Revelation (Revelation chapters 2 and 3) and prayerfully planned priorities for the church.
After which, we individually listened to what Jesus was saying to us as a church. Here are are the PCCs reflections complied as one letter to the ‘Angel of Christ Church’.
To the angel of Christ Church in Epsom Common:
I have seen your struggle to survive in this world of distraction. You must rely on Me. Hold fast to your faith and shine as a beacon. Tread lightly on the earth and with each other. Remember you are all made in God’s image and are brothers and sisters. You will all be different. Accept and rejoice in that diversity, for God did not make everything uniform, but gave you colour and tone.
Look after all those in need. Be aware of your brothers and sisters who are sad, those who are joyous. Help them to believe in me and stay faithful. Support each other; keep going forward; bring more people to believe in me; follow and true in me; share their burdens. Help them to keep trying to reach out and to improve the church.
Look over and protect the members of the church. Allow its members to spread the message of love and hope to those in Epsom.
Love, encourage and protect the people of Christ Church congregation. Give them strength, wisdom and open heart, to go out and share the Good News and make Epsom a happy, caring and safe place to be. Let them know they are my hands and feet here on earth and that I and the Holy Spirit am with them all the way. You are my chosen children to do my work, I love you very much.
“Come, follow me and I will make you fish for people”
Don’t forget the poor. I came to save the lost and marginalised, make them your priority. Help my kingdom of justice, mercy and love to be built where you are planted. Much has been given to you, much is expected. My kingdom is not of glory, but service.
Be vulnerable and I will give you the strength you need to transform those I give to you. Reach out, relate to, communicate with people in already in the church and those in the community. Work with other groups, churches, social enterprises to truly support others. Show the love of Jesus through works and deeds, and forming relationships which grow and develop, sharing the kingdom of heaven.
Be my example, in the way you spoke to people, be patient with people but never compromise my message. Don’t be afraid to be bold - you are a child of God who is filled with the Holy Spirit.
Seek out the lost, the poor, the homeless, the immigrant, the vulnerable - be my hands and feet.
Encourage the team to feel confident, calm and assured. It is time to look forward and focus on the positives.
Let my love ripple through the church and the wider community and the church. May the church make a clear invitation to all. Be uplifted and challenge disharmony until it abates. This can all be achieved with faith. You’ve had all the ideas now go ahead and put them into action. Do this in Christ’s name, bring your ideas to life.
There is so much to commend and give thanks for. Be reassured that I have seen your endeavour, but do not be complacent. I urge you to keep going sharing my love with all people.
There is no time but the present, treasure what you have and I will give it back to you tenfold.
It needs to be given up in sacrifice to realise potential. In letting go you will find reward.
Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Compiled by Revd Esther Holley Hunt
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