Half Term

We've had a lovely quiet half term, it was rather cold & wet though.
Last night we and many friends from church gathered, wearing green clothes, in N's house, lying in wait as he brought back his girlfriend K from a meal out, having just proposed. We got a text - she said yes! We had a celebration party, they are such a lovely couple. (oh yeah she loves green- hence the clothes)
It is such a pleasure celebrating a relationship that you know is based on faith in Christ, a relationship which has a chance of success / survival!

About ten of the guests were the "Team" - a team of students from All Soul's Church, London. This is the third (? I think) year we have had a team, they come up for a week or so, staying in our homes (not mine as Paulie isn't keen. But we'll have them for tea one night) and just muck in, helping with all the ministries, enjoying family & fellowship times with us, and doing either a holiday bible club or a family fun day with us. They are rather lovely, diverse group of christian students who don't even necessarily know each other as All Souls is rather large.

Have I mentioned we have a church apprentice / trainee?

Each year we have a young Christian trainee, someone who works full-time for our church, doing a bit of everything, learning all the ministries & being developed spiritually. They attend Northwest Partnership ministry training course, once a week, where they learn to teach the bible. It is usually someone who has just finished university. They become beloved members of the church, and so far, all but one of them have continued to live in Speke after the trainee year (or two years) ends, getting a job & being a member of the community.

I don't think that is the point of a trainee, I guess the idea is like a gap year in some ways, you might walk into it thinking - I have a year of training, to build me up for the Lord's work wherever He leads me in future. But so far He has lead them to love the people of Speke!