Dear Friends,

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This last year has been a challenging one for the many people in the life of the District. The events over the summer in particular with the terrorist attacks within London and the fire at Grenfell Tower is still etched in many people’s minds and for those who have been directly affected by these events life will never be the same for them, their families and communities, and we continue to hold those communities in our prayers.

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In the midst of the all horror we have seen in the last year within our communities, it has been wonderful for us to be able to get out and about across the District. We have been invited and participated in national, ecumenical, interfaith events, alongside meetings and events in the areas of affordable housing, homelessness, refugees and migration. However one of the greatest joys for us is when local churches and circuits within the District ask us to preach, share in a staff meeting, CLT meeting or for us to attend a circuit meeting, where we hear stories of mission and discipleship in the ordinary things of life. It is encouraging to hear the stories of how people’s lives are transformed by love the of Christ and that Churches are working together for the sake of the Kingdom.  Please continue to invite us to share in your good news stories in your church or circuit. It is great to be out and about sharing with you in your context.

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The New Year can often bring a mixed bag of emotions and memories for many of us. Some may have just experienced the best year ever and look forward to an even greater one looming ahead. Others may have just trudged through one deep struggle after another. The fresh calendar year brings desperate hope for things to be better, with an ache for the still-fresh wounds to slowly begin their process of healing.

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Whether you have just walked through the greatest year of your life, or are incredibly glad to see this one finally over, one truth still rings clear amidst it all. You are not alone. Not ever.

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Our God is a “with us" God. On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the power to carry us right into a fresh, new start. He is Immanuel, God with us. Though things and people around us shift and change, our God never changes.
 
Nigel, Micky and Jongi.