BELONGING: CHRISTMAS IS COMMUNITY

We all have reasons to think we don’t belong. Maybe it’s the way we look, where we’re from, shadows in our past, or our fears about the future. It was the same for that familiar cast depicted on our Christmas cards – each character had reasons to think they wouldn’t belong. Yet there they are, witnesses to the arrival of Jesus, God-belonging-on-earth, Emmanuel.
 
This Christmas, we journey into stories that reveal the heart of God for all to find they belong in His house. During Advent, on Sundays and in discipleship communities, we take a fresh look at Scriptures that reveal the extreme lengths Love went to, ensuring we belong in His Kingdom community. And at Christmas we seize every opportunity we have, to invite others to discover a God who is so much better than any of us could have ever imagined.
 
I’m so excited for the potential of this Advent and Christmas at St Mary’s and Sale West. Maybe you have the opportunity to invite along a friend, co-worker or family member to a Christmas service. Maybe you haven’t been to church in a long time and are wondering if you could reconnect during this season. For everyone, my hope and prayer is that this time of year would lead us to a place of discovering that God has made a way for each of us to belong in His family.
 
This year we are again offering a Christmas Carol service with the unique flavour of each of our congregations, including Fuel! The timings of our popular Christingle services have also been adjusted and a wonderful welcoming and stewarding team put in place to ensure the best possible experience and to give the best chance for everyone to get a seat. You can find out more about all the Christmas services at www.stmarysaom.org/christmas - and church, let’s invite someone (or many) this year. Remember, whether or not someone takes up our invitation, it’s a success each time we invite.
 
Jonny Davies
Youth Pastor