“Write The Next Chapter…”
The Mustard Seed programme enjoyed a wonderful day at Bishopthorpe Palace, our fourth annual gathering, for everyone during their Stepping Up year. It was a joy to be away from our ordinary lives, to spend the day in such beautiful surroundings, and the rain stopped so we could enjoy the gardens!
“Write the next chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in your churches and communities.”
Archbishop Stephen
Archbishop Stephen welcomed us and inspired us about Living Christ’s story. He spoke from 2 Corinthians 3:2-3. That each of us is a letter from Christ, written not with ink or on tablets of stone, but written with the Holy Spirit on tablets of human hearts.
He reflected that the story of Jesus Christ we have received in the gospels, which was then lived out and recorded in the Acts of the Apostles is to be continued…. That each one of us is sent to the communities where God has placed us to tell the story of what God has done through Jesus, and the story of what God has done in our own lives. For us to freely share the story of Jesus in our own lives, which will point people to the story and person of Jesus.
Archbishop Stephen spoke about who Jesus is to him: “Jesus is God’s way of being fully human.” That we are all being called to be truly human, ‘the very best you’ living as God intended us to be. We were reminded later in the day not to compare ourselves with others, but to be fully who God has created us to be.
Stories of mission
We were delighted that Barbara Wilson, Nicky Heaps and Jodie Whetton, who have completed Stepping Up, joined us to share their stories.
Barbara shared that when she was invited to Stepping Up, she wondered ‘who me? what can I do?’ She then talked about her role as Community Minister working in the eco-shop, creating a prayer space to listen and pray with people, working with local children and families and her latest venture to take church to the people through a gospel choir. www.mseed.org/bridgingcommunityandchurch
Nicky spoke about being inspired by the change he had seen in Donna who was in the first Stepping Up group in Bridlington. He wanted some of what Donna had and so asked to join Stepping Up. The year wasn’t always easy, but Nicky knows God is calling to work amongst people who are homeless, providing a meal and a safe space.
Jodie was very honest that her first response to Stepping Up was ‘no!’ She now recognises that she would not be where she is now unless she had eventually said ‘yes!’ Jodie’s ‘yes’ has led her to being Children and Families Minister in her church, creating a safe space where children can learn and grow and parents can be themselves, with all the joys and challenges of life. www.mseed.org/wow
Reflections on the day
Worshipping together in the chapel was a joy, singing, praying and sharing communion together. Someone reflected “what a huge sense of family there is here.”
After lunch Ian McIntosh, director of mission and ministry helped us to reflect on the day. Images of abundance in places of scarcity, growing confidence, seeking out the treasure in our lives and communities to create safe spaces where lives can be transformed. Ian encouraged us that renewal is happening through Mustard Seed in places at the edge, which are a gift to the rest of the Diocese. God is at work writing the story of Jesus in our lives and this story is to be continued…….
To find out more about how we are Living Christ’s Story in communities on the edge of the Diocese of York explore our website, watch the ‘Be Inspired’ films and read the Stepping Up stories and stories of mission.