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Faith And Spirituality


WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN


Christian life is lived in relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and in common with other Christians in the church seeking to deepen that relationship and to follow the way that Jesus taught.


For Christians God is understood and known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit:


…Father… God is love, caring for creation and for every human being as God's beloved child.


…Son… God is as he has revealed himself to be in the historical person of Jesus Christ. Jesus' life, death and resurrection hold the key to knowing and loving God, and to making sense of life, before and after death.


…and Holy Spirit… God is alive, loving and active today, inspiring faith, justice and truth, sustaining the life of the world, giving spiritual gifts to the church and bearing his spiritual fruit in the world - changed lives and a transformed society.




FAITH & SPIRITUALITY PROGRAMME




The purpose of our Faith & Spirituality Programme is to provide opportunities for learning, growth and fellowship beyond formal worship in church, primarily for church members. The Programme plans and supports a range of activities


Start the Month


Under this banner we run two monthly house groups, one meeting in the morning, the other in the evening, in private homes. These groups generally give time to the gospel and other readings set for the following Sunday and may also discuss issues of current concern.


 


Parish Prayer group


This group meets monthly. It considers forthcoming readings, but also explores and practises different forms of prayer.


Current concerns


An occasional series, in which we discuss Christian responses to the pressing issues of the day. Recent sessions have covered aspects of warfare, medical ethics and climate change.


Lent groups


Many church members, in Wanstead and elsewhere, appreciate the opportunity to join groups in the season of Lent. At present we offer three such groups, one in the morning and two in the evening. The groups follow a theme. In recent years themes have included Sabbath and what it may mean for us today and reflections on the Lord’s Prayer.

 

   Lent group A meets at 20, Rutland Road on 15th, 22nd, 29th March, 5th 12th April at 8.15pm.

 

   Lent Group B meets at Christ Church vestry on 17th, 24th, 31st March, 7th, 14th April at 11.45am

 

   Lent Group C meets at 38, Grosvenor Road on 17th, 24th, 31st March, 7th, 14th April at 8pm.

Advent


In this season of anticipation and preparation, we offer activities to help people prepare themselves for Christmas, and to take a break from the secular pressures of this time of year:

 

 

Quiet day: a day for reflection in peaceful surroundings

 

Gospel reading: Each year we read through one of the four gospels ‘joining up’ the passages selected for reading in church during the year.

  

Bible study: a chance to ponder and discuss some of the familiar Christmas readings




Walsingham pilgrimage/Parish retreat

In the summer a party travels to the Anglican shrine at Walsingham for a weekend that combines the worship and fellowship of the shrine with opportunities to explore the surrounding North Norfolk countryside. The Parish retreat, a weekend away, in high summer, offers time for quiet reflections guided by a guest leader.

 

The Walsingham weekend will be 8th-10th July 2011. If you wish to attend please sign the sheet in church or speak to Peter Gaston before the end of April.

 

 A visit to Poperinge will take place from 21st-24th June 2011.

 

The annual pilgrimage to the ancient chapel at Bradwell on Sea will take place on 2nd July 2011. The theme is "Walking with the Word". The lead speakers Bishop Stephen and Bishop Thomas, the RC Bishop of Brentwood are lively and challenging preachers. A coach will be available from Wanstead with a likely cost of £10 per head. Please sign up in church or contact Fr. Richard.

 

  

 

 

 

  
 


Outings & occasional activities

 

These include:

  • Visits to art galleries and exhibitions with a Christian theme

  • Days spent at a local quiet garden

  • Visits to the World War I sites and sights in and around the town of Ieper in Belgium, to reflect upon and keep alive the memory of that conflict.

 

 

GREAT AND MANIFOLD BLESSINGS - On Tuesday 3rd May we are visiting an exhibition at Cambridge University Library celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible, and going to Evensong at King's. Please see the sheet in church or contact Peter Gaston.

 

                                                    

 

 

 


 

We are always on the lookout to visit other interesting places, whether regularly or on an occasional basis.




Interested?


All forthcoming activities of the Faith & Spirituality programme are publicised in the weekly notice sheet and the programme of the events on this website. Amongst the Ministry Team, Fr Richard Wyber and Readers Olive Thursby and Peter Gaston have special responsibility for the Programme and will be glad to respond to enquiries and expressions of interest.