connecT re-commits

connecT is a little over a year old now, so we decided to have a congregation meeting to look at our life together. Small discussion groups are the backbone of our sharing time together at connecT, so we did that to discuss the agenda items. Some of the things we recommitted to:

* Learning together (but with the occasional sermon)- 'Round Table Church'
* Eating together with shared responsibility for providing food.
* Shared leadership including younger people.
* Eucharistic worship in the round.
* Diversity in music.
* Strengthening our welcome to visitors.
* Shared financial responsibility.

Given it is the Easter season it was an appropriate time to look back so we could move forward led, we believe, by the presence of the risen Christ.

'Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands he blessed them.'(Luke 24:50)

Lessons, meal and Eucharist

There were so many things to enjoy over Holy Week and Easter. There were powerful and confronting stories of Jesus set to music, readings and sermon, but the highlight for me was the simple meal we had on Maundy Thursday. It was billed as 'Lessons, meal and Eucharist', and that is what it was. The lessons were taken from Luke 22, Jesus' last night before his crucifixion and the Eucharist shared at the tables at which we ate the Mediterranean inspired meal. At the tables we shared thoughts on the readings as well as talked about everyday things. There was something 1st century about it: simple Church with Jesus, meal and community.