Churches Together St Austell
Next Event:
An outline for the next gathering
20th February 2022 6.30 - 8pm
Welcome and introduction
Prayer
Sung worship
Bible reading
Short message from Scripture
Poem on Christian unity
Sung worship
Prayer
Message from CTSA Chair
Financial report from CTSA Treasurer
Update on CAP Debt Centre
Q&A
Sung worship
Prayer
Save the date:
Good Friday Service in Aylmer Square
15th April 2022 11am
Latest CTSA Chair Report
February 2022
Churches Together in St Austell is the union of churches across the town and deanery focused on the mission given by Jesus Christ to His church.
For some years we have been working under the wider framework and Constitution of Churches Together in Great Britain. Over recent times however, the church leaders have developed a fraternal relationship based on a common purpose and friendship, which has led us to rethink the basis of our CT Constitution.
We desire to be relational in our fellowship, ahead of being meeting or committee-bound.
Our heart is to see the Church of Jesus in our town and surrounding villages fully united, missional, and led by the Holy Spirit. To this end, a new Constitution has been agreed by the Enabling Group for acceptance by the Member Churches. The new Constitution facilitates increased emphasis on churches joining together for times of prayer, worship, and fellowship. At least four such gatherings will be targeted per year, with ad hoc working committees formed to coordinate specific joint activities or projects as and when needed. The Enabling Group will therefore cease, although monthly meetings of ministers for fellowship and prayer will continue.
The Enabling Group has met quarterly to oversee the progress of CTSA. In reviewing the year, I would like to thank the Enabling Group for their time and commitment, and my fellow pastors and leaders, especially Paul Ashton, Kevin Prinsloo, Steve Caddick and Pete Godfrey for their prayers, love, and friendship. And we warmly welcome Paul Benny in his new post with our Methodist friends.
Those in positions of Chair, Secretary and Vice Chair are due to stand down. Since no nominations for new officers have been received, the Enabling Group has proposed that the existing officers remain in office for another year. Sincere thanks to them for their willingness to serve for another year.
CTSA Projects:
CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Debt Centre continues to grow and expand under Edwina Sleeman’s leadership and direction. Funded by CTSA churches, and hosted by Holy Trinity church, we would dearly love to expand the number of clients in the coming year. Already a number of families and individuals have been helped out of debt successfully, with the advice from CAP, and brilliant support of Edwina and Befrienders.
Bible For Schools has continued despite all the challenges of COVID over the past two years. Bibles are delivered to children in Reception Year at a number of local primary schools. Funded by CTSA member churches, we are most grateful for the witness this is, and for the hope expanding as we place the Word of God into the hands of young people. In recent years we have secured the finance before ordering Bibles, which is more manageable and financially prudent.
Food Bank is hosted and overseen by Light & Life Church, with contributions coming from local food retailers and donations from individuals from across the churches and local community.
Other Ventures:
Good Friday and Christmas in Alymer Square:
Led by Esther Baker and combined groups of musicians from across the CTSA area, these events have sought to engage the community at key festivals, with the message of Jesus, through music, worship and craft and creative stalls for children and young people.
Combined Prayer & Worship:
Consistently over recent years we have ended and been blessed by regular combined evenings of prayer and worship. I am extremely grateful to all the host churches and ministers and musicians who have made this possible. As COVID recedes, we aim to continue with these in person, in the coming year, as the heart of our togetherness in friendship and mission.
Working Together:
As well as the planned gatherings already mentioned, it is exciting and encouraging to see pairs and groups of churches working together on various initiatives which they feel led to pursue together. Conversations about working together are frequent, and growing trust and understanding is evident.
The Transforming Mission initiative running in the Anglican Deanery of St Austell has offered the funding for Pioneer ministers working with Young Adults (Jonny Dant leading) and Children & Young People (Lesley Lawther leading) and Worship Pioneer (Jamie Moore leading). The aim is to resource the local church of Jesus - open to all denominations and shapes - in their mission. These pioneer ministers are here to help, advise and model connections, and they are willing and keen to meet leadership teams/elderships and PCC’s at any opportunity.
We have been reminded of the Government and Diocese of Truro’s ambition to be carbon neutral within the decade and are encouraging one another to make small steps which can change the current trajectory of our world's climate for the better.
In Conclusion:
On a personal note, I’d like to thank everyone who has prayed for myself and my family these past few months, following my unexpected major operation. Thank you so much.
God is above all things, and if we continue to listen to one another, pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ shining brightly in our town and villages!
We just have to be who we are - the people of God lit by the Spirit!
Thank you, and God bless you.