Circuit Weekend

Circuit Weekend at Home

Theme “Into the Silent Planet”

Do you remember those postcards which amused us all saying ‘Wish you were here’? Well we say to those of you who were unable to be at the Circuit Weekend “Wish you were there”, because you missed a wonderful time of faith and fellowship.

 It began on Friday evening by coming together for a meal, and we say a big thank you to all those who helped in any way with those delicious meals over the weekend.

After the meal on Friday, the Revd. John Carne, who joined us for most of the weekend, gave us a presentation entitled “Alone in the Empty Vastness”. He looked at the vastness of the universe and its creation, and of our smallness in it, but told of Jesus coming into that vastness as our saviour, to love us, redeem us and show us the way to eternal life.

 Saturday started with prayers and worship led by Liz Reynolds, followed by a talk by Edgar “ The hush of Expectation” taking in  Hebrews 11 & 12, looking at examples of faith, God’s immense love for us, the call for us to follow Jesus, and our need to reach out with our own faith for others.

Kevin’s session after coffee was called “the Human Face of God” and took us through Colossians 1:15 – 20, where it states that Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He is the exact representation of God, and not only reflects God, but reveals Him to us as supreme over all creation. We were shown a number of images of Jesus in the form of paintings, statues, and film stills to discuss.

At 12.00 we did just what Edgar had been speaking on by meeting outside the front of the Church with Edgar and John fielding a wide range of questions in that public space. And what a variety of questions there were!  “Why is there sickness and suffering?” Can we be sure where we are going when we die?” Is God fair?” and many, many more.

 Saturday afternoon was a free time till 4.30, when Kevin took us through a feedback session, in which we discussed  the programme to date and took us up to our evening meal.

There followed a Special Seeker Service with meditation, worship, drama, an interview and prayer.

 Sunday began with All Age Praise led by John Carne at The Avenue. The various churches held their own morning services, then came in to The Avenue for a Bring and Share lunch. The final session “ The Cosmic Significance  of Christ was led by Edgar and again went through the significance and meaning of the Colossians reading, followed by a time of discussion as to what each of four groups drew from it.

The weekend came to an end with a Communion Service “A Spiritual Revolution: Called to Commitment and Service”.

 We thank our clergy for their wonderful leadership and all who presented the programme for the weekend.