The relationship between the two churches, Ickenham URC and St. Giles’, is one of covenant commitment.
The twenty-third Anniversary of the Covenant was celebrated recently in services at which Adrian and I swapped pulpits. On Sunday 27th April Adrian led the whole URC service at 11am including preaching. I preached at both the 8am and 9.45am services at St. Giles, while Adrian led the first, and Ken led the second. I found it very interesting to see the different character of the two services, one following the Prayer Book, the other the Book of Common Worship.
Both churches use the same set of readings each week. Adrian and I talked in advance about the verse we would focus on as the starting point of our sermons that day: 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” We found this verse was a good encouragement for our covenant relationship and all the activities we do together, particularly those serving the wider community.
Maybe you have been asking questions, or explaining the hope that you have, at events around the time of the Passion programmes on TV, or during Christian Aid Week, or at the Memorial Service for those who have been bereaved, or at the Art for Rukiga exhibition. All these are organised in Ickenham as part of the covenant relationship between the two churches.
- We covenant to walk in unity as far as conscience and our respective Church disciplines allow.
- We pledge to be open to those gifts of the Spirit continually received through the Word of God in the Bible, the Sacraments and our Christian life and mission together.
- We seek never to do in separation those things which could be done better together.
The churches will be seen in action together again during the Ickenham Festival. If you want to hear the reason for the hope we have, look out for the Fairtrade café tent and the escapologist on Gala Day, come to the special services at the beginning and end of the week, or try sparking a conversation any time.
Bernie
In my work as a Spiritual Director (someone who accompanies others on their spiritual journey) I often hear people lament about the paucity of their prayer life, and yet, on gentle questioning, it is discovered that they have made time to do the ironing, or to read their favourite magazine or to watch a particular programme on the television.
It is surprising, when we put our minds to it, what we can find time for and I would say that making time for prayer should be a priority. After all, it is only though prayer that you can develop a real relationship with God and He with you. Just think how relationships in a family would develop if nobody spoke to one another or communicated with each other: family life would be impossible, although some might welcome it for a short period! And so, unless you communicate with God through prayer you will never get to know God as a personal friend and develop the relationship that he wants us to have.
In a wonderful book on spiritual development called “The Cloud of Unknowing” written by an unknown mystic in the 14th century, the author says this:
“Be attentive to time and the way you spend it. Nothing is more precious. This is evident when you recall that in one tiny moment heaven may be gained or lost. God, the master of time, never gives the future. He gives only the present, moment by moment.”
Many people use busyness and crowded diaries to hide from God. Margaret Guenther in her book “Holy Listening” points out that the commandment to observe the Sabbath is routinely neglected by many people who would not think about breaking the other nine.
Making time for God through prayer does not mean setting hours aside. Just five minutes of quality time each day expressing your hopes and fears to God and laying before Him your needs and the needs of others can bring amazing rewards. Why not try it and see?
Ken
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Believe in God, but not sure about what Christians believe?
Want to have faith in God, but not sure he’s trustworthy?
Used to go to church and want a refresher course?
If so, Start! is for you!
Six discussion-based small group sessions
Wednesday evenings from 8pm -9.30pm
led by Adrian Guthrie at the Rectory
18 / 25 June and 9 / 16 / 23 / 30 July
Contact Stephanie on office@stgileschurch.co.uk
or on 01895 622971 for more details or to book a place
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FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS
Baptisms at St Giles’
Apr 27th Thomas James Daniel Anderson
Charlotte Danielle Anderson
Bethany Louise Anderson
Lydia Evelyn Dew
May 11th Toby Miles Fitzwater
Wedding at St Giles’
May 3rd Andrew Taylor and Clare Johnstone
Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Apr 23rd John Echlin, aged 92
May 2nd Bernard Jones, aged 79 (after service at St Giles’)
May 12th Gwendoline Jones, aged 86 (after service at St Giles’)
May 13th Ian Pool, aged 64 (after service at St Giles’)
May 14th Alistair Cruickshank, aged 84
ST GILES’ CHURCH MONTHLY STREET PRAYER LIST
Each Sunday at St Giles’ Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the Parish.
During June we will pray for the following roads:
June 1st Lawrence Drive
June 8th Lodore Green
June 15th Long Lane
June 22nd Malcolm Road
June 29th Malvern Close
If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8am or 9.45am services? You will be most welcome.
