Dear Friends

As I write we are approaching the season of Advent; a time when we look beyond our world with its current concerns and preoccupations, not that these aren't important. We stir ourselves to prepare for the God who is coming to dwell among us, as one of us. This will be a different Christmas for us. Our world has moved on in a year. There may be things for us to rejoice over and things of great concern; both personally and communally.

Life moves on and things change. Sometimes I know I can easily get left behind. I can find myself going through the motions of things that used to be life-giving. Since my operation I am really enjoying being able to walk and recently decided that I wanted to walk often. I noticed that I had stopped going swimming, but it took me months to do anything about my gym membership! If I struggle to keep in step with myself, then how much harder is it to stay alert and keep in step with one another and with God.

That's why I am really excited about the Road to Renewal, which Bishop David will come and launch for us on 8 February. It will provide us with an opportunity to catch up with where God already is and where we are. Find out more of the detail about this inside the magazine.

A small group has been meeting since last July to provide us with a process to lead us into a way of renewal for ourselves and as a church; to resource ourselves for all that God wants to involve us in, in the community and wider world. This is a task we share with Christian people in our village and further afield as the life and work of God is revealed every day; the Kingdom of God coming among us.

We will have the opportunity for a nice winter occupation of gathering together in small groups, in the warmth of one another's hospitality, to talk about things which are important on our journey of faith; to be inspired by one another, to feel our own motivation, to expect the Spirit among us as we dream dreams and share hopes. Let's turn over even the most unlikely stones! These conversations and reflections will then be gathered together as we seek to commit ourselves afresh to God and to one another.

There are many ways and means of commitment in the Christian life. These paths are not always effortless and easy, nor are they always instantly obvious because they are about relationship. Discovering the plan God has for being human is our life challenge, different for each of us. Making a commitment is not about being perfect or being overburdened. Rather it is about being the person God has created us to be, aware of our gifts and limitations, open to others and their needs with the possibility that our local connection and action can make a difference.

The church today faces enormous challenges. In Christ we are God's most important resource. In a changing world we need to focus on what will endure and make a lasting impression in our lives and the lives of others. We do not have the time and energy to do things which have nothing to say about the love of God and how each person and our world are of enormous value and worth. The Spirit lives to set us free to walk in the light of Christ.

Do come along on 8 February so that Bishop David can encourage and inspire us as we seek God's will for us as a local church in the Anglican tradition here in Menston.

Let us be rooted in God and immersed in the world. May Christ be born in us as he enters our world this Christmas.

With peace and love this Christmas and for the New Year.

Ruth