Cromer Parish Church with St Martin`s

February Leader

‘Holy means set apart. Not like a set of cutlery that only comes out on Sundays, but more like a Swiss army knife - to remove a splinter, cut a rope, open a bottle, anytime, anywhere, whatever the boss needs.’ So, as you know from last month’s CFN Extra, says Milton Jones in his book ’10-second sermons’.

‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy’ says God to Moses. Sometimes the Church has got that horribly wrong, and divorced, separated itself from the world, acting as if was scared of being tainted by what it might find. Yet surely, if we want to know what it actually means we only have to look at the most holy man who has ever lived on this earth - Jesus - who was far from divorced from the world, rather thoroughly involved in it.

One of my favourite paintings of him, is what is known as the ‘laughing’ Jesus - a young man, full of life, energy, clearly enjoying all that life has to offer. How do we become like that? There is no other way than time spent with him, allowing him to shape our lives, allowing his holiness to shape and become ours. [Click here to see the full article with this picture included.]

And yet in a 10,000 rpm world, slowing down to allow that to happen - at least for me - is a constant challenge. Slowing down from 10,000 to 500 rpm to allow him space to make the changes that need to happen in me - to read, to pray, to simply spend time in his presence is something I need to be held accountable for - and so, I suspect, do you.

So challenge me, ask me if that’s what I’m doing. Do the same for those in your small group or wherever it is you find your Christian support - and you never know, you may find someone who will do it for you too!

Rev Canon Dr David Court
Vicar of Cromer

Global Alpha Training Trip

Follow Steve Downes and the team as they visit Kolkata in north-east India between 16th and 25th January to train local church leaders.

You can read their daily blog or hear an update and see photos at the Parish Church on Sunday 22nd January. You can give money to support the ongoing ministry in and around Kolkata by clicking here.

Discipleship Explored

The Alpha Course, which we ran from September to December 2011, proved very popular. As a result, many of the guests are keen to continue exploring the Christian faith. The ‘Discipleship Explored’ Course offers this opportunity, and we have decided to offer additional places to regular church members who also want to learn more about following Jesus. Because of the limited size of the Parish Hall Coffee Bar we anticipate having room for about 10 to 12 people. Discipleship Explored looks at Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and there is a little bit of reading to do between each session. It's an eight-week course (with cake!) to look at what it means to follow Jesus. Roger (Billings) will be running the course, with some support from Mike Barker, Fred and Chloe. More information about Discipleship Explored can be found at: www.ceministries.org/de. DE started on 16th January in the Parish Hall Coffee Bar on Mondays at 7.30 p.m. Places are limited, so see Fred as soon as you can if you want to join.

Church Forum

On Wednesday 25th January, to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we will be hosting Church Forum instead of our usual Fourth Wednesday Church Night. On this occasion, we'll meet with other Christians from across the town to look at what unity actually means from our different traditions. We look forward to seeing you there!