People who know me well, will know that I am very involved in the life of our church in Canvey; some people will find this a surprise, as it's not always been the case and so it seems appropriate that pretty much 5 years after this all started I should write a little something...I am not trying to preach or convert - I'm simply telling you how it is for me...
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If I ever had to fill in a form that asked for my 'religion' I would always tick the box for Christian - Atheist sounded too intense (and I think on reflection I did believe in something) and so I figured I should go with the majority! I suppose I was a 'high-days and holidays' type Christian, in that I only went to church for weddings or funerals. That said, I did teach at St John's Primary School in Fulham for 3 years and fully embraced the Christian ethos of the school and sang hymns joyfully during the weekly mass.
I remember Mum coming home from church one Sunday to mention that the Parish was organising a trip to Israel and did I fancy going...did I ever?! The history of that part of the world fascinates me and with RE being one of the subjects I have to teach I thought the trip would do my subject knowledge the world of good. Little did I know that I would return home a changed person...
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I can't put into words how the places we visited that October in 2009 affected me...I cried, laughed, was left in stunned silence. All I can tell you is that, as I sat under an olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemene, I knew I had found something that I hadn't realised had been missing from my life...faith.
I have to take this opportunity to thank our rector, Rev David Tudor, for the guidance and support he has given me in finding my faith from day 1. I remember trying hard to put into words how I was feeling on that trip to him, but found it incredibly difficult to express what I wanted to say...it didn't matter. His understanding and knowledge helped me through, and after building up the courage for a number of months when we returned home, I was baptised.
And I haven't looked back since...
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I hear people say that church is dead, old-fashioned, not for the modern world...I say to them: 'Come to Canvey Island'...you will find a thriving church family led by an amazing ministry team and volunteers who work tirelessly to bring joy and comfort to those they meet. Fr David and Rev Marion have constantly supported me and my family over the years and I am truly blessed to know them and call them friends.
I am privileged to be part of this church community: to be able to share in people's sorrow and joy and to offer my own gifts to help others.
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I returned to Israel in 2011 - and this time, for me, it was a true pilgrimage. As I write this, I am thinking of and praying for my friends and church family who are currently experiencing their own pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
God bless xx
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If I ever had to fill in a form that asked for my 'religion' I would always tick the box for Christian - Atheist sounded too intense (and I think on reflection I did believe in something) and so I figured I should go with the majority! I suppose I was a 'high-days and holidays' type Christian, in that I only went to church for weddings or funerals. That said, I did teach at St John's Primary School in Fulham for 3 years and fully embraced the Christian ethos of the school and sang hymns joyfully during the weekly mass.
I remember Mum coming home from church one Sunday to mention that the Parish was organising a trip to Israel and did I fancy going...did I ever?! The history of that part of the world fascinates me and with RE being one of the subjects I have to teach I thought the trip would do my subject knowledge the world of good. Little did I know that I would return home a changed person...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't put into words how the places we visited that October in 2009 affected me...I cried, laughed, was left in stunned silence. All I can tell you is that, as I sat under an olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemene, I knew I had found something that I hadn't realised had been missing from my life...faith.
I have to take this opportunity to thank our rector, Rev David Tudor, for the guidance and support he has given me in finding my faith from day 1. I remember trying hard to put into words how I was feeling on that trip to him, but found it incredibly difficult to express what I wanted to say...it didn't matter. His understanding and knowledge helped me through, and after building up the courage for a number of months when we returned home, I was baptised.
And I haven't looked back since...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hear people say that church is dead, old-fashioned, not for the modern world...I say to them: 'Come to Canvey Island'...you will find a thriving church family led by an amazing ministry team and volunteers who work tirelessly to bring joy and comfort to those they meet. Fr David and Rev Marion have constantly supported me and my family over the years and I am truly blessed to know them and call them friends.
I am privileged to be part of this church community: to be able to share in people's sorrow and joy and to offer my own gifts to help others.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I returned to Israel in 2011 - and this time, for me, it was a true pilgrimage. As I write this, I am thinking of and praying for my friends and church family who are currently experiencing their own pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
God bless xx
My journey is always just beginning,
a fresh new day,
on an old, old path.
That's the blessing,
that's where the hope blossoms.
However much I wandered yesterday
I can start again tomorrow,
And when all my tomorrows are used up,
I'll still have travelled.
It's the journey that counts,
not the arriving.