Thought for the Week

Our Children are our Future……

One generation commends your works to another;     they tell of your mighty acts.

Psalm 145

Listening to Thought of the Day on Radio 4 this morning, I was filled with both concern and admiration for our young people.  The world that they face now is a tougher, more complex world compared to when I was growing up. Issues such as an alarming and urgent climate crisis, natural disasters striking so many countries, social media pressures, implicit mental health problems and increasing pressures at school and work.

So how do we prepare our young people?  How can we give them strength and resilience to be true to themselves but also to be the best they can, in a world with so many challenges?

We can’t wrap them in cotton wool.  We can’t shield them from the reality of our today, but we can encourage them, support them and most importantly pray for them.

Having three children myself, I can’t say I always get it right but I do pray for them and with them and talk to them and guide them as best I can.  Having Jesus in their lives also helps me to guide them by having Jesus at the centre.  Continuing to be kind to others and to do their best but to know they are loved and treasured gives them that reassurance they need. 

Our children are the future.  For that reason we need to make them equipped and supported for this world keeping them grounded and creating a stable environment for them.  Understandably this is not always easy to do.  Bringing up a child as a single parent.  Having little money.  Trying to juggle work and give time to them too.  Suffering from illness but trying to just carry on and cope.  Life can be very challenging but yet, if we hold that love, compassion and kindness within us, the intention to always be there for them through any emotional or practical difficulty in whatever capacity, and just simply be honest and do the best we can – our children will be ready.

As it says in Mark 10: 13-16

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Here at St Albright’s and Church Without Walls we offer a variety of ministry and courses in addition to our regular Sunday morning BCP and Eucharist Services:

For our Young people…

Brights (Sunday School) twice a month (second and fourth Sundays at 10.30am)

Bruce’s Crew (Youth Club) twice a month (second and fourth Mondays 6.30pm-8pm)

Family Communion on the Third Sunday of the month at 10.30am

Messy Church – on Lakelands Green (dates published on our bulletin and facebook – next one Feb 2023)

Place for Grace Service – 5.30pm first Sunday of the month, St Andrew’s Hall.

For Adults….

Exploring Faith Course

Alpha Course

Advent Reflections

Lent Course

Bible Study and Discipleship

Coffee & Chat Group (second and fourth Weds 10am-12noon) St Andrew’s Hall

Prayer and Planning Group

If you have any questions about faith and Jesus, or are interested in talking to us about what we do or our ministry and how we can support you, please don’t hesitate to contact any one of the team by emailing office@stalbrights.org.

God Bless x