After a long summer break apart from four Coffee Mornings, Thursday Fellowship returned on the 4th September.

It was a lovely day and 13 members gathered for the first session where we welcomed back Beverley McArdle from the Brighton & Hove City Mission.

Beverley gave us an update on the work of the Mission which has been working in the city for over 175 years. Their vision is to see a Christian influence in every environment and to help facilitate this, there has been some structural reorganisation to accommodate a different focus and wider sphere to touch more people.  Beverley is now the Older Person Lead which encompasses so  much more than being solely responsible for the Care Home Ministry. There is a vision for partnering with Churches to assist them in reaching out to the Care Homes in their communities as well as enabling befriending opportunities for those who are lonely or isolated.

Beverley’s message to us was taken from the Great Commission in Matthew 28 v 16-20 with the emphasis on “Go!”

What are we being called to do? We were reminded that we all have a ministry! What a challenge for us! What might that look like for us as individuals?

Beverley told a very poignant story about an elderly gentleman who needed help with his Bible reading devotions. Although one of the Activity Co-ordinators in the care home was a Christian, he decided to ask the non-Christian to assist him with his readings! Food for thought indeed!

We were encouraged to pray for the Mission: That good partnerships will be formed with local churches; for new staff members for all of the teams; for continued funding to meet the needs, and for new opportunities to share Jesus.

If you would like to join our little group, please do come along on a Thursday afternoon at 2pm.  We can assure you of a very warm welcome.

For further details, head to: https://downsbaptistchurch.org/community/thursday-fellowship/