Richard's Reflections (September 2026)

When I was teaching, September felt more like the ‘New Year’ than January 1st. I am sure that anyone who is or was a teacher will understand what I mean.

As I worked in Primary Schools, I would have a completely new class. I must admit, there was a certain amount of nervousness. What would they be like? Would they be well behaved? Would it be an easy, or challenging year to come? But I loved the sense of a new beginning, an opportunity to start afresh.

I have that ‘starting afresh’ feeling about church as we can look ahead to what God is going to do in the next 12 months. All of our usual activities are re-starting, we have Harvest at Christchurch to look forward to, and at the beginning of October we will be counting down to our Anniversary year. Not to mention all that we hope to do around Christmas. (Yes, that is nearer than you think.)

As we consider this new start, let’s commit to asking the Lord to be with us and take us through all that we will be doing. Let’s remember, it is he who leads and guides us. In some words from Deuteronomy 31 v 8:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

And as we trust in him, we go forward together in the Name of Jesus:

We bear the torch that flaming, fell from the hands of those

who gave their lives proclaiming that Jesus died and rose.

Ours is the same commission, the same glad message ours,

fired by the same ambition, to You we yield our powers.

Frank Houghton

Love in Jesus,  Richard