Election candidates to face the people (14th April 2010)

Residents in the Brigg and Goole constituency will have an opportunity to quiz prospective political candidates for the forthcoming general election at a hustings on Sunday, 25^th April.  The event, organised by Goole Churches Together, will take place at the Central Methodist Church, North Street, Goole, starting at 4pm; it will be chaired by the Reverend Graham Maskery of the United Reform Church, a senior minister with considerable experience of chairing similar events.

The hustings is being organised in line with guidelines from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and is offered as a service to the whole local community, not simply for church members.

Bishop's New Year message

New Year Resolutions

I’m a great believer in New Year Resolutions.  They give us all at least one chance in the year to start a good habit or drop a bad one.  As my mum used to say: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.  Most years something will stick. 

So here are three resolutions I’m making for 2010 which I recommend are on your list:

The first is to explore God’s mercy. Most of us know in our heads that God loves us. But we don’t appreciate just how much. I’ve made two visits to the Peak District so far since moving to Sheffield. We went once to Chatsworth and once to Ladybower. We intend to go more often this year. But it wouldn’t be honest for me to say to a friend that I know the Peak District very well. Many of us are like that with God’s mercy. We know it’s there. We’ve visited once or twice. But we haven’t taken the time to explore that love properly. We only understand a fraction of the length and breadth and height and depth of the love of God. 

The second is to practice random acts of kindness. When I worked in a college some years ago, a friend had a big sign on his door: love is practising random acts of kindness. It’s not the whole of love, of course. Love also means sticking at something year after year. But loving your neighbour as yourself becomes a bit more of an adventure when you try and be kind once a week or once a fortnight to people you don’t know well. 

And the third is to pray as often as you can for three people you know who are not Christians. Add them to your personal prayers and pray for them to come to faith. The greatest treasure we have in life is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The greatest gift we can give at any time of year is the knowledge of God’s love. Pray this year that someone you know will become a Christian. 

Explore God’s mercy. Practice random acts of kindness. Pray for someone to become a Christian.

And yes, of course, I will be making other resolutions to do with calories and exercise!

Have a very happy New Year!

+Steven Sheffield

Service for lonely people

Goole Companions is a service for all parishioners who live alone, who maybe lonely or who have been bereaved. The aim is to help bring people out of isolation and back into the community through friendship, fellowship and enjoyment. Goole Companions meet each Tuesday in the Parish Hall (opposite the church) between 10am and 1pm, providing refreshments and activities and an opportunity to meet with others in a warm and friendly environment. Lifts are available. Anyone interested in helping out or just attending can contact 01405 766058