Jenny’s letter 16th March
Dear Friends,
We’ve now reached the second Sunday of Lent — how’s it going for you so far?
Are you managing to carve out time to reflect, pray, and reconnect with God? Are you observing your behaviour and looking at ways to leave out the ungodly bits? If you’ve struggled to find a rhythm so far, don’t worry — it’s never too late to start. Lent is not about perfection; it’s about intention and drawing closer to Christ, step by step. Every small effort matters.
This week we had a fantastic Messy Church. It’s been truly heartening to see so many people coming along. The sheer number of families, children, and this week helpers (God knew we needed the extras gathering together has been inspiring — and, honestly, a little overwhelming when I walked into the Centre and saw the chaotic fun.
It actually reminded me of the story of the Feeding of the 5,000, when Jesus took a small offering of loaves and fish and turned it into enough to feed a huge crowd. We’ve had a similar experience with the food at Messy Church — somehow, no matter how many people turn up, there always seems to be just enough to go around. That sense of abundance, even when resources feel stretched, is such a clear reminder of God’s provision and faithfulness.
As Messy Church and other ministries at St Barnabas continue to grow, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we need to be intentional about the values and behaviours that shape our work. A small group of us have been working behind the scenes to define these values more clearly — asking ourselves what’s most important to us as a church community and how that should be reflected in the way we treat others and ourselves.
Growth is exciting, but it also brings new challenges. As more people come through our doors, it’s important that we’re clear about who we are, what we stand for, and how we live out those values in everything we do — from the way we welcome visitors to the way we support each other in difficult times.
Alongside volunteers for the work in The Centre cafe, one very practical area where we need help right now is at Messy Church. We always need volunteers. We had 13 this month and it almost wasn’t enough. In particular, we are looking for someone who could sit by the doors to make sure that children don’t wander off — a simple but vital role that helps keep everyone safe and gives parents more peace of mind. Graham Jones used to do this well because he couldn’t just get up and be distracted. If you think you could help with that, please let us know.
As I reflect on all this, the words of Paul in Philippians 3:17–4:1, one of Sunday’s readings, feel particularly relevant: “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters… our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul’s call to unity and purpose feels like a challenge for us today. Lent invites us to walk together with Christ, to deepen our faith, and to grow as a community. As we move forward, let’s hold fast to the hope we have in Christ and the strength we find in one another.
We hope to see you soon — whether at Messy Church on Good Friday at 10.00 am, Sunday worship, or another gathering. You are always welcome here.
