And I don’t know about you, but it makes everything feel so much better. There are still many things to worry about but there is now so much more to feel positive about and look forward to.

Lockdown is easing slowly but surely, and we can now entertain family and friends and eat both inside and outside of restaurants! Summer holidays may be looking less exotic but at least summer here is hopefully shaping up to be just as good as last year (good riddance spring showers!)

It’s almost as if we can breathe a sigh of relief again as life slowly gets back to some kind of normal and the weather is playing ball. And closer to home the sun came out just in time for our local Little Bees Park opening and half term. It’s been lovely having somewhere to go to so close to home and engaging more meaningfully with neighbours and those from the surrounding area, as lockdown parents and children navigate their way out of the comfort of home and into the adventure that is playdates, parks and fun!

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

With things slowly opening, we have a new rhythm of Hubs and services to get involved in, to help make space for Jesus in our lives:

Create Space In Your Day To Day

It starts here, with our relationship with God, each day. Take moments through your day to pause and connect
with Jesus. There’s a great quote from Smith Wigglesworth, who was an amazing man of God, and he said “I don’t often spend more than half an hour in prayer at one time, but I never go more than half an hour without praying”. Find resources here to create manageable habits to cultivate your relationship with Jesus.

Be A Part Of A Hub

We weren’t made to live in isolation and we know that more than ever after a year of lockdown. Be part of a hub, a smaller community to travel life with Jesus & friends. We have different hubs to get involved with, which mostly meet on zoom at the moment, and if these don’t work for you, why not start one?

• Family Hub Sundays at 4pm – on zoom, mixed with picnics in summer, mostly young families
• Adults Mondays at 8pm – on zoom, space to dig a little deeper
• Guys Thursdays at 1pm – on zoom, fitting in the work day

Keep and eye out for details on Youth Saturdays.

You can find more information and links here.

Gather To Celebrate

We love to celebrate Jesus as a whole church community, all ages and hubs. And excitingly we have just been able to start gathering to do just that! Come along on the 1st Sunday of the month 4-5pm in the Rivergate Centre. A really easy first place to connect and meet people; you’ll find fun, dancing and all ages worshipping Jesus.

Gather For Worship

Worshipping God is fuel for our souls, come on the 3rd Monday each month to worship Jesus with music & prayer, in the Rivergate Centre 8pm. 21st June will be our first time meeting and our hope is that it will be a place that’s so refreshing after a long year of isolation – be renewed in a creative atmosphere of worship.

Prayer Foundation

All of this is empty without God, prayer is our bedrock. Join these rhythms, some alone and others together.

• Pause each day at 12 noon for the Lord’s prayer.
• Reflect using the Examen at the end of the week.
• Join a prayer walk on the last Saturday of the month at 10.30am.
• Dedicate with prayer & fasting relays at the start of each half term.

You can find out more information on how to get involved here. Alternatively, if you have anything in particular you’d like us to pray for, please don’t hesitate to contact us at hello@churchatbr.com and we will include it in our prayers for you.

Lastly, if you or anyone you know would like to get involved with us as a church, you can join in here, send us an email or check us out on our social platforms:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram