When  the church council decided in January of this year to take part in a nation-wide mission initiative culminating around Easter 2010 it seemed an exciting possibility to make the good news of Jesus Christ known in a compelling and attractive way, but still a long way off ... "No need to worry about that yet, it's almost 18 months away!"

But that's no longer the case!  Our special mission week is booked for 1 - 7 March 2010, which by the time you're reading this will be only 6 months away!  We are delighted that Rev Lee McMunn has accepted an invitation to be the main speaker at a series of events during the week.  As many will know, Lee was our first lay assistant here at St John's almost 10 years ago.  Even then he was gifted as someone who could explain the Christian faith in an engaging and accessible way, and many in the church family remember his ministry amongst us with much gratitude.  Since then Lee has been to  theological college in Oxford, and served as a curate at a church in Hull.   Last year he got married to Vicky, a maths teacher in a local secondary school, and Lee has particular responsibility for evangelism within their local parish.

But our plans begin much sooner than next March!  On Sunday 13 September we are holding "A Passion for Life" launch which we hope all regular church members will be able to attend.  It will take place at 4:30pm in the church rooms, with a bring and share tea ( finger food please!) for all ages.  This will take the place of our normal Sunday evening gathering that day, and we really do want as many as possible from both morning and evening congregations to be there!  Lee will be speaking, and will bring with him some of the team (members of the church in Hull) who will be coming with him next March.  There will be opportunities to meet them, to hear some of their "stories of faith", and to hear about the programme of events leading up to March 2010  We'll also be launching a special prayer initiative - after all, we are utterly dependant upon God for whatever "A Passion for Life" might bring.  It is only as the Spirit works on people's hearts and minds that we're able to welcome the gospel of Jesus for the glorious thing that it is!  So there is a part for every church member to play as we get ready for "A Passion for Life" - please don't miss the launch!

If you're reading this as someone who is not a regular church member, and don't profess to be a Christian, I do hope that you will be willing to come along  to events leading upto, and during "A Passion for Life".  Please don't feel threatened by our desire to share with you the good news of Christianity - we will try to be gracious and to listen carefully as we seek to do so.  Perhaps it should not surprise you that people who believe they have stumbled across the best news this world has ever heard should want to share it with others - more surprising that we're often been so timid about doing so, and you push us, we're quite embarrassed about that!!
Included in the magazine is a pull out copy of the autumn programme here at St John's - as usual, everything there is  open to anyone who wants to come along.  Please do get in touch for more details.

Yours, with a passion for the life that Jesus offers,

Simon