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Dear Friends,
In her countryside classic 'A croft in the hills', Katharine Stewart tells the
story of an old crofter who went to stay with his daughter, whose house
had recently been fitted with electric lights. On his return home he was
asked how he liked the new form of lighting. "Ach", he said, "I canna
be daein wi' it. Kept me wakened a' nicht. It's in a bottle and ye canna
blaw it oot !" Change is not always easy to cope with.
I write these words at the beginning of 2010, a year that will bring great
change to our family and the church. Soon after Easter the Jacksons
will be heading north of the border, where I will take up a new challenge
as chaplaincy team leader at Auchlochan retirement village in South
Lanarkshire. The team of four chaplains will facilitate the spiritual care of 400 residents and over 350 staff.
Looking back at the past 5 1/2 years, we give thanks to God for the many changes we have witnessed here in Tarporley. Through prayer, Alpha courses, the bookstall, housegroups, church weekends away, baptismal classes and personal relationships He has brought many people from the fringes of church to the centre, and I have been thrilled to see the faith of so many people developing to maturity. The testimonies of our baptismal candidates have witnessed to this work of Christ Jesus in their lives and in His church here, and I have taken great pleasure in sharing these special moments. As a fellowship we have grown closer to becoming the Christian family God urges us to be.
Personal and familial changes have brought our fellowship pain as well as joy. Many of our number and members of their families have passed from time into eternity, or suffered illness and received treatment, and it has been my privilege to walk alongside you in grief, anxiety and pain. Together we have proved that, given time, even unwelcome changes produce good fruit when we learn to rely upon God.
Our all-age 'no-shush' services have given the church more of a family feel, which has been reinforced by the music group and drama team, and our average Sunday congregations have more than doubled over the past few years. Membership stands at nearly 70, which means that the church is bucking the British trend of church decline. My greatest delight has been the fact that we have maintained that life-giving balance between old and young, Baptist and Methodist, charismatic and non-charismatic, ancient hymns and modern songs, evangelical and non-evangelical, liturgy and liberty, so that, praise God !, it becomes impossible for anyone to slap a label on this particular church.
The growth of our youth work has been a blessing to both church and community. Links with the high school have been made, the youth club has almost reached capacity, student youth workers have come to help us, and our annual trips to Alton Towers (complete with T.V. crew) are now the stuff of legend . I thank God for the helpers who have given of their time and energy to make the youth club what it is today, and I thank Him for the many opportunities we have had to share a little of our faith with these precious young lives. I look forward to hearing how the work progresses, and perhaps even hearing from some of my young friends in the years to come.
Financially we have gradually reduced our reliance on Baptist Home Mission, so that we no longer need such assistance. A wise treasurer and generous members have helped us to reach a healthy position for future worship and witness. The ongoing changes to our buildings and fields are rewarding us with attractive and useful spaces for worship, learning and fun, a resource that is already valued by the outside agencies who make use of our facilities. I am thankful for the dedicated fabric committee that has made all this possible. When my dream of a balcony full of young people becomes a living reality, perhaps if I can make it up the stairs I shall be invited to cut the ribbon ?
Closer links with the other churches in Tarporley have gradually developed, as have relationships with the village's voluntary organizations, schools, community hospital and parish council. The church's website has helped us to forge wider links and reach beyond the village.
As you walk together into the future, there will be many changes to come, but I have great confidence that the God who has brought you this far will continue to guide, support, nurture and encourage you. I will pray for you, and I shall miss you.
Every blessing,
Cliff.
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