All Saints Church Childwall

Greetings

From the Mitchells in St. Petersburg…

Arrived safely, it’s been snowing all day today and must be about 4 ft  deep! Work at the hospital is going well it’s only minus 4 today! The windows are in and we are making good progress. Please thank everyone for their prayers we have been very much aware of the power of prayer.

With love Pam & Chris

Easter Sunday Breakfast  You are welcome to stay for the breakfast which follows the Sunrise Service and should you wish to do so, please help us to get the catering right by signing-up on the list at the back of church. Thank You.

Maundy Thursday Lunch You are invited to the 10.45 am BCP Holy Communion Service on Maundy Thursday, 1st April, followed by lunch in the Church Hall.  This will be a hot meal so prior booking is needed.  All ages are invited.  Lifts will be available.   Tickets costing £2 50 from Joan McClelland 722 3737

Mark’s Gospel  in  one evening, experience a public reading of the entire gospel as part of our Holy Week preparations.

Readers are required contact Bill Addy  722 3417 bill@addyfamily.com for further information.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

At our APCM we are gifted with the privilege and responsibility of electing those who will serve the church and community in a particular way – Wardens, Deputy Wardens and PCC members.

I am grateful for the dedication, integrity and commitment of those with whom I have served in this capacity over this past year. The present PCC has done much of significant value and service in leading us forward under God.

Equally I look forward to working with those who will be elected to serve as office holders at the forthcoming APCM. This year we are looking to appoint six PCC members: five to serve for three years and one to serve for two years.

The election of women and men to serve on the PCC is a serious and prayerful endeavour. They have a delegated responsibility for a particular sort of leadership and discernment before God. They need our support in prayer.

In other literature details will be given about the process and timetable for election. The purpose of this pastoral letter is to set before you some of the qualities of leadership we should be looking for in those who might offer themselves for election this year, and something of the task that is before them.

Biblically, we should look for the following attributes amongst our leaders:

• Those of good reputation (Acts 6 v3-4)
• Those whom God is calling (Mark 3 v 13-19)
• Those growing in Christlikeness (1 Tim 3 v 1-7)

Those with the right gifts and abilities for the leadership task to which they are called (2 Tim 2 v 2)

In some candidates those attributes will be obvious and proven. In others, especially younger candidates, we should be looking for potential.

The tasks those appointed will face are varied and various. However, we can be sure that they will need to be prepared to commit to at least two significant priorities in the coming year:

• Continuing to offer tenacious and patient leadership in the development of our site and buildings for mission and ministry to this generation and beyond, not least with respect to assembling the finances required; a task that demands an understanding of the church as a community called of God to be mission-shaped in the world

Consolidating much of the work that has been done in recent years, especially by developing further our sense of calling to minister in and to our community and also encouraging some in our church community to embrace a more committed sense of fellowship and discipleship

For Jesus, leadership begins with being discerned and called in prayer, and continues with an openness to being challenged and equipped on the road. Such are the men and women we seek for leadership at this tremendously exciting and encouraging time in the life of this community of witness and ministry.

Are you one of those He is calling? Will you respond to that call?

With my prayers,           Gary Renison