Choose Love - Verse 6

The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5.5,6

Choose to Receive
To choose love is not simply to choose to give, it is to choose to receive. Love flows, love is dynamic. It is given as it is received. It is, more than anything, a gift of God to us, through Christ and through his Holy Spirit.

Stop and Think

How easy do you find it to receive love from others? Is this reflected in how easy you find it to give love?
In what ways is God’s love offered to you through the death of Christ and the life of the Spirit?

Choose to Act

Take time to thank God for his gift of love to you and to receive it afresh.
Choose to receive love from others as it is offered to you today.

Choose Love - Verse 5

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12.20,21

Choose to Win
To choose love is to choose to win; not victory over others, but the defeat of evil, anger and hatred. To choose love is, as it was for Jesus, to choose to overcome.

Stop and Think

In what ways in your life has love proved to be the way of victory?
What might it mean for you to overcome evil with good?

Choose to Act

Thank God for the victory of love in your life, for the joy and hope and freedom that it has brought to you.
Choose today the way of generous, forgiving love; choose a little act of goodness which subverts anger, hate and selfishness

Choose Love - Verse 4

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12.15

Choose Compassion
Love is expressed through our deeds and our words, it is love in action. But love begins in our hearts, hearts that are not always seeking to take but are free to give - free to rejoice with others’ joy and free to weep with others’ sorrow.

Stop and Think

What makes it hard to rejoice or to weep with others?
What frees us to offer the compassion that flows from a heart of love?

Choose to Act

Take time today to reflect on God’s unconditional compassionate love for you.
Choose today to let yourself be genuinely happy in others’ joy and to be truly sad in others’ grief.

Choose Love - Verse 3

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Romans 12.14

Choose Blessing
To choose love is to choose to bless all people, especially those who make life difficult for us, or who cause us pain and hurt. There is a hard edge to love, a radical unexpected aspect that responds with generous bridge building actions and words.

Stop and Think
Who are those who ‘persecute’ you? How easy is it to respond by ‘cursing’ them? What might it mean for you to ‘bless’ them?

Choose to Act
Pray for those who are persecuted and who struggle to respond in love. Choose, in your words and your deeds, to bless someone today; someone you find hard to love.

Choose Love - Verse 2

Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.Matthew20.25,26

Choose Service
A Minister, whether in Church or Government, is invariably seen to be in a place of authority and status. Jesus reminds us that the word means one who serves, the true characteristic of leadership and greatness.

Stop and Think

What qualities, in your experience, make someone great? Does readiness to serve play a part?
How in your life can you serve other people?

Choose to Act

Thank God for those who minster to you, those who serve you. Take time today to thank them.
Choose today to take opportunities to serve others.

Choose Love - Verse 1

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. Song of Solomon8.7

Choose Love
This week looks further into what it means to choose love. To begin, a powerful description of the power and depth of love. What can contain or conquer love?

Stop and Think

What has love meant in your life? What has its power and depth brought to you?
What is love? What words might be used to describe it?

Choose to Act

On this ‘Passion Sunday’, as we reflect on the suffering of Jesus, choose to embrace the depth and strength of love.

Choose Life - Verse 7

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10.10,11

Choose abundance
To choose Christ is to choose life. His death opens for us the way to life; his presence fills us with life - life in all its fullness.
What a gift.

Stop and Think

What does it mean for you to choose Christ?
How does his gift of life make a difference to you?

Choose to Act

Take time to consider your reflections and your choices this week. Have they born fruit?
Choose Christ today and to live in the fullness of the life he gives. Choose to share that life with others.

Choose Life - Verse 6

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12.24,25
Choose to let go
A seed contains within itself an amazing capacity of life; it’s released as the seed dies. So, Jesus says, as we learn to let go, to ‘die’, we discover our own capacity to embrace life and to give life.

Stop and Think

How is this truth at work in Jesus’ own death and life?
How has this truth been a reality in your own life?
What might you let go of today?

Choose to Act

Choose to embrace your capacity for life by letting go of something today.
Take time to pray for those experiencing death today; may they find life in that journey.

Choose Life - Verse 5

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7.13-14

Choose the narrow way
To choose life is to embrace something broad and abundant; but the way to life is often narrow and hard to find.

Stop and Think

What has been the narrow way for you?
What choices face you as you seek to embrace the gift of life more fully?
Choose to Act

Choose life today, even when the way to it is hard, unpopular or costly.
Choose to do something today which creates a new path, a new way, for you or for someone else.

Choose Life - Verse 4

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4.8

Choose Truth
As we choose to trust and receive God’s peace, we choose to let that peace fill our minds and shape our thoughts and reflections, and therefore our actions.

Stop and Think

What things will fill your mind today? Are they true, honest, just, pure and lovely?
What helps you to choose truth and virtue? What fills your mind with ‘other stuff’.

Choose to Act

Choose today to reflect on some thing of beauty and loveliness.
Choose to live in honesty and truth. Think differently, live differently.

Choose Life - Verse 3

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.6-7

Choose Peace
As we choose faith, as we choose to trust and to pray, so we are choosing peace - that most amazing, unexpected and life changing gift of God.
Stop and Think

What might it mean for you to choose to trust God today?
What causes you to be anxious? What stops you letting ‘your requests be made known to God’?

Choose to Act

Take time to put yourself and your worries into God’s hands.
Choose to receive God’s gift of peace; live today in that peace and trust.

Choose Life - Verse 1

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.
Deuteronomy 30.19

Choose Life
This week looks in more detail at what it means to choose life. To begin, a challenge from God to his people at a moment of decision. Will your choice be for life or for death?

Stop and Think

When have you had to face big moments of decision? When have seemingly small choices had big consequences?
What helps you see what it means in a particular situation to ‘choose life’?

Choose to Act

Choose life today. Seek in the big or little decisions you make today to choose the way that leads to life.

Choose Life - Verse 2

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9.24


Choose Faith
“I wish I had your faith.” It’s a commonly heard expression. But is faith ever easy for any of us? Isn’t it always, or nearly always, a combination of faith and unbelief. The point here is that the father, in his faith and in his unbelief, makes a choice to cry out to Jesus.
Stop and Think

Where and when does faith come quickly or slowly?
What strengthens and what shakes your faith?
What has it meant for you to choose faith?

Choose to Act

Take time to pray for those who cry out to God for help in tears, perhaps especially for parents in tears.
Choose faith today. Choose a word, an action, a prayer which is expression of faith even when its hard to believe.

Choose Friend - Verse 7

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.John 14.34,35

Witness

Following the two ‘great commandments’ (see week 1), Jesus adds a new one. His followers’ love for one another is shaped by Jesus love for them and is the clearest witness to the reality of God’s life and presence in them.

Stop and Think
What does it mean to love as Jesus has ‘loved you’?

How do people know you are a follower of Jesus?

Choose to Act
Take time to consider your reflections and your choices this week. Have they born fruit?

Choose friendship today. Choose to love as Jesus loves you. Choose to do something to make that love known.

Choose Friend - Verse 6

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. Ephesians 2.14,15

Reconciliation

St Paul talks about the meaning and the effect of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The heart of it all is reconciliation, making peace. Peace between us and God, and peace between people.

Stop and Think
How does Jesus bring change to your relationships with other people?

What does St Paul mean be “one new man (humanity)”? Where do we see the reality of this?

Choose to Act
Thank God for the reconciliation that he brings us through Jesus.

Choose today a practical way to celebrate and to live out that gift of peace and oneness with others.

Choose Friend - Verse 5

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Luke 15.1,2

Companionship

Our companions are, literally, those with whom we break bread. Jesus was criticised for those he chose for companions. He broke bread with sinners and welcomed them to his table. He still does.

Stop and Think

Who are your companions of choice?
How might your friendships better reflect the unconditional nature of God’s love and welcome?

Choose to Act

Choose today to celebrate companionship. Do something to welcome and eat with someone new.
Choose to be open to receive from someone else.

Choose Friend - Verse 4

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. Luke 9.49,50
Openness
The disciples wanted to exclude those who didn’t belong to their club. Jesus rejects their fear, their pride and their boundaries and opens the possibility of all sorts of partnerships.

Stop and Think

Why are we so quick to put boundaries around our groups - not least within the Church? Why the apparent need to exclude others?
What is your experience of exclusion and inclusion?

Choose to Act

Choose today to respond to others with openness - those who are not against you are for you.
Choose to open your eyes and heart to the possibility of surprising partnerships.

Choose Friend - Verse 2

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.Matthew 12.48-50

Community

Jesus offers a radical redefining of family. For him, the closest relationships are not tribal or closed, but open. His ‘family’ is a wide community of those who seek to do God’s will.

Stop and Think

How do you respond to Jesus’ words? Is he rejecting family?
Where do you experience a true sense of community? What brings it together?

Choose to Act

Thank God for your family and for the variety of ways you find community.
Choose today to recognise someone ‘who does God’s will’ as a (perhaps unexpected) brother, sister or mother.

Choose Friend - Verse 3

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18.20

Presence

As we choose unity, as we choose community, especially with those who seek to do the will of God, so we discover not just each other but the presence of God. It’s the great gift of true friendship, to be experienced in church and beyond.

Stop and Think

Where do you recognise Christ as the one who is in the midst?
How easy is it to miss the simple reality of God’s presence in the complexity of our meetings?

Choose to Act

Choose to open your eyes today to Christ’s living presence in the midst of your meeting with others. Be open to what he might want to say or do.

Choose Friend - Verse 1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head.
Psalm 133.1,2

Unity

This week looks at choices we make in our close relationships. At the heart of the Christian life is a call to friendship. Today, a verse from the psalms expressing the beauty and the gift of unity.

Stop and Think

Where have you experienced the wonder of the gift of unity? What made it special?
What is unity? Is it sameness? What enable us to ‘dwell together in unity’?
Choose to Act

Choose today to celebrate the gift of those with whom you ’dwell together’.
Thank God for unity and celebrate diversity.

Choose Neighbour - Verse 7

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.Matthew 5.14,15

Light

Secondly, disciples of Jesus are to be like light. Light that is not hidden but uncovered and enables others to see the world around them more clearly and more truthfully.
Stop and Think

What does it mean to live a life that is like light?
How might your life help others to see more clearly?

Choose to Act

Take time to consider your reflections and your choices this week. Have they born fruit?
Choose today to live a life that, in its truth and its love, offers light to others. Choose to let that light shine.

Choose Neighbour - Verse 6

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5.13
Salt

Back to the Sermon on the Mount. (see last week) Jesus offers two metaphors to describe how his disciples are to be in the world. First, salt. Salt preserves and flavours. Salt ‘makes life taste better’.

Stop and Think

What effect does your life have on others? Does it add flavour? Does it make ‘life taste better’?
What might make your life more ‘salty’?

Choose to Act

Think about situations you will encounter today.
Choose to bring some flavour through your words and your actions - and maybe even by your silence.

Choose Neighbour - Verse 5

And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. Deuteronomy 26.11

Celebration

As justice for neighbour is rooted in the character and mercy of God, so the generous provision of God is to be celebrated and shared with all. Justice for all. Celebration for all.

Stop and Think

Stop and reflect on all the ‘good things’ which God has given in your life.
How might you celebrate these more joyfully? How might you share this celebration with others more generously?

Choose to Act

Choose to recognise and celebrate God’s generosity to you in all that you have in your life.
Choose to do something generous today.

Choose Neighbour - Verse 4

Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge: But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing. Deuteronomy 24.17,18

Justice

At the heart of the Jewish law in the Old Testament, a demand for justice. Justice for those most vulnerable. Justice rooted in the mercy of God.

Stop and Think

How are the most vulnerable, asylum seekers, needy children, lone parents, treated in our society? Do they find justice?
What might it mean for you to seek justice for someone else today?

Choose to Act

Choose today to treat those you meet with fairness.
Do something to help make the world a place where the vulnerable are more able to find justice.

Choose Neighbour - Verse 3

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Luke 10.36,35

Mercy

Jesus’ story makes its point. The stranger, the ‘good Samaritan’, despite all the barriers of race and religion was neighbour because he chose to be neighbour and chose to show mercy.

Stop and Think

For Jesus, the defining quality in the relationship of neighbour is mercy. How would you define or describe mercy?
What might it mean for your to show mercy today?

Choose to Act

Thank God for those who are your neighbours, who show you mercy.
Choose today to live a merciful life, in words, in thoughts and in your actions.

Choose Neighbour - Verse 2

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.Luke 10.32,33

Action

To answer the question Jesus tells a story. The ‘neighbours’ pass by the wounded man, on the other side; the ‘stranger’ sees, has compassion and takes action.

Stop and Think

Where do you encounter people in need? How ready are you to see, stop and act?
What is it that prevents us ‘seeing’ our neighbours, feeling compassion and acting?

Choose to Act

Pray today that God would open your eyes and open your heart to your neighbours in need.
Choose to take action to bring help.

Choose Neighbour - Verse 1

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Luke 10.29

Who is my neighbour?
This week looks at choices we make in our engagement with others. Today we return to the Lawyer and his questions to Jesus (see week 1). I should ‘love my neighbour as myself’. But who is my neighbour? What are the rules? Where are the boundaries?

Stop and Think

How do you define who is your neighbour?
What are the things that connect you with people, nearby and across the world?

Choose to Act
Choose to see people you encounter today (directly or indirectly) not as strangers but as your neighbours.

Choose God - Verse 7

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46.9,10

Knowing God
In the end ... God. The mystery that is God, sometimes evident and active, sometimes absent and silent. But a mystery that can be known - as we stop and are still.

Stop and Think

Where do you see God at work in the world?
Where do you see him active in your life?
And ... where can you simply be still and know God?

Choose to Act
Take time to consider your reflections and your choices this week. Have they born fruit?
Choose today to be still. Seek God. Know God.

Choose God - Verse 6

As the deer panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42.1,2
Longing for God
Back to the Psalms, great songs of assurance and joy in God’s presence, but equally honest about times of agony and sorrow, and about the thirst-like experience of God’s absence.
Stop and Think
Where in your life have there been (or are there) times when God has seemed absent?
What has helped you at these times?
What have you learned in them?
Choose to Act
Pray for those who are thirsty today. Pray for those who long to know God’s peace, joy or love.
Choose today to embrace the thirst for God in your own life and never give up.

Choose God - Verse 5

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Matthew 6.24

Serving God
Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount. As God is found by those who know they need him, so relationship with God is sustained by singleness of heart and commitment. (‘Mammon’ represents wealth or greed.)
Stop and ThinkWhom do you ‘serve’?
Who or what demands your love, your time, your energy?
In your life, does God or ‘mammon’ get the biggest say?
Choose to Act

Choose to do something today which puts God first.
Choose a way to use your ‘wealth’ to express your love for God and for others?

Choose God - Verse 4

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5.7,8

Finding God
In the opening to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes those who are blessed; those who find God. It is not the proud or self righteous but those who know they need God and those who seek him in humility and generosity.

Stop and Think
What does it mean to be merciful?
What does it mean to be pure in heart?
How might these qualities make you blessed? How might they help you to find God?

Choose to Act
Choose today to live in the simplicity and honesty which is purity of heart.
Choose to show mercy to someone, near or far away.

Choose God - Verse 3

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23.4

Secure in God
God the Shepherd protects and preserves. His presence is recognised not just in green pastures and by still waters but is there in the darkest and most difficult times. In God fear is confounded.

Stop and Think
Where in your life have you walked through the valley of the shadow of death?
What helped you through?
In what ways, if any, did you experience the protection of God?
Choose to Act
Pray for someone who is living through dark times or who is afraid.
Choose to put your trust in God today, choose not to be afraid.

Choose God - Verse 2

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23.1,2

Resting in God
The 23rd Psalm is one of the best loved parts of the bible. God, the Shepherd, offers rest and refreshment. In God are found stillness and renewal. In God wants are satisfied.

Stop and Think
Where in your life are the green pastures and the still waters?
In what sense are these places where you encounter God’s provision and fulfilment?

Choose to Act
Even in the middle of busyness, choose to find rest today. In that rest discover more of the refreshment that comes from God. Choose to do something to offer rest to someone else.

Choose God - Verse 1

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6.3

Encountering God
This week looks at aspects of our engagement with God. Today, words from Isaiah’s encounter in the temple with an overwhelming sense of God’s presence. It was an encounter which changed the way he looked at the world and at his own life.

Stop and Think

When and where have you experienced an encounter with the presence of God?
What words would you use to describe it?
How has it affected your life?
Choose to Act
Take time to reflect on God’s presence in your life. Choose to let that sense of encounter shape your perspective on life.

Choose Love, Choose Life - Verse 4

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 10.29


Find life
Jesus commends the answer of the lawyer. If you want to live right, then love God with all you are and all you have and love your neighbour.
Do this and you will live. It’s simple; or is it?
Stop and Think
What does life mean for you?
What does it mean for you to live well and to live life to the full?
In what sense, for you, is love at the heart of life and the key to life?
Choose to Act
Take time today to think about what you have learned this week. Pray that you will find life in seeking to love.
Choose the simplicity of ‘doing this’, of love in action.

Choose Love, Choose Life - Verse 3

And thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10.27

Love neighbour
The lawyer continues his answer to Jesus. Life is to be discovered not simply in love for God but also in love for neighbour.
In both parts of his answer the lawyer has quoted from the Old Testament, but not the obvious 10 commandments. It’s love, not rules.

Stop and Think

What does it mean for you to love your neighbour? Who is your neighbour?
How do you express that love in practical ways?
How do love for God and love for neighbour relate?

Choose to Act
Choose to do something today to express love for someone else. Pray for the eyes to see others as your neighbours and not as strangers.

Choose Love, Choose Life - Verse 2

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.          Luke 10.27

The lawyer answers Jesus’ question by quoting the ‘first great commandment’.

To discover life, he says, first you must love God with all you are and all you have. As we shall see (on Saturday), Jesus commends his answer.

Stop and Think
What might it mean for you to love God with all that you are?
What does it mean in practictical terms for you today?
How might loving God help you discover life?
Choose to Act
Choose to do something today which expresses love for God.
How might this be an expression of your whole self - your heart, soul, strength and mind?

Choose Life, Choose Love - Verse 1

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’             Luke 10.25

What Shall I Do?

As Lent begins, a simple question: How do I truly discover life?

It’s a question which lies at the heart of this Lent Challenge.

For the lawyer, it is ‘what must I do?’ Jesus answers with a question, ‘you tell me?’.

Stop and Think

How would you answer the lawyer’s question?

What does lead to life? Is it a matter of what we do?

Is eternal life simply life be-yond death or does it have something to do with now?

Choose to Act

Choose to do something today which leads to life, for you or for someone else.

Saint Michael's and Santa Famiglia

For many years the Anglican parish of Saint Michael's in Bishop's Stortford, UK, and the Roman Catholic parish of Santa Famiglia in Fano, Italy, have been linked.  Close friendships have been formed over the years as various members of both parishes have travelled to meet each other, to share food and fellowship, and to form an ecumenical link between the two churches.

We are keen to maintain and grow this partnership in faith, and to this end have decided to blog our various discussions on Biblical texts.  Saint Michael's has a number of housegroups and Santa Famiglia has twelve 'tribes' who are looking forward to sharing their ideas.  This is hopefully the start of something fruitful.

To begin this we are planning on utilising Bishop Alan's Lent Challenge, part of Living God's Love, an initiative of the diocese of St Alban, UK.  To find out more about this and to sign up to receive the daily verse, please visit http://www.livinggodslove.org/living_gods_love/lent/

As Lent progresses, each verse will be added to the blog for members of either congregation to comment on (hopefully saying which church they belong to for those that don't know!).  We look forward to reading the posts of our distant brothers and sisters.

Pace,
Deacon Anthony

E italiano (probabilmente con errori di traduzione)...

Per molti anni la parrocchia anglicana di San Michele a Bishop's Stortford, Regno Unito, e la parrocchia cattolica della Santa Famiglia di Fano, in Italia, sono stati collegati. amicizie si sono formate nel corso degli anni vari membri di entrambe le parrocchie hanno viaggiato per incontrarsi, per condividere il cibo e l'amicizia, e per formare un legame ecumenico tra le due chiese.

Ci teniamo a mantenere e far crescere questa partnership nella fede, ea tal fine hanno deciso di blog nostre discussioni su vari testi biblici. San Michele ha una serie di housegroups e Santa Famiglia ha dodici 'tribù' che stanno cercando ora di condividere le loro idee. Questo spero sia l'inizio di qualcosa di fecondo.

Per iniziare questo stiamo progettando di utilizzo Vescovo di Alan Quaresima Challenge, parte di Vivere l'Amore di Dio, una iniziativa della diocesi di St. Alban, Regno Unito. Per saperne di più su questo e di registrarsi per ricevere il verso al giorno, si prega di visitare http://www.livinggodslove.org/living_gods_love/lent/

Come progredisce la Quaresima, ogni verso si aggiungerà al blog per i membri di una congregazione di commentare (si spera dicendo che la chiesa di appartenenza per coloro che non lo so!). Siamo ansiosi di leggere i post dei nostri fratelli e sorelle lontani.

Peace,
Diacono Anthony