We're flourishing!

Well actually, some of us are pretty tired after a very hectic weekend; however, we are ALL very richly blessed! We've had a fantastic Church at home anniversary weekend. We started on Friday night with Keith leading discussions on worship and barriers to worship. Jackie continued this theme on Saturday morning as we looked at elements of worship. We then split into groups - prayer/meditation, music, drama - to plan our Sunday family worship. While all this was going on, Sharon and her team led the children's ceative activities on the theme of growth. We were frantically trying to pull all the elements of the group work together while we were eating our packed lunches and, to be honest, we left with some doubts as to how all the elements were going to fit together. After a free afternoon (free? some of us were shopping/cleaning/washing!) we reassembled for a wonderful chinese banquet (courtesy of the Chinese take away across the road from us) and after dinner entertainment. What a fantastic time! Truly, it was a wonderful family celebration with the very little ones showing us hop bunny hop, Fran and Ben's clarinet and trumpet duet and solos, Jonathan's tongue twisters and monologues from the not so young. We listened with intent to Jackie's story about Mr & Mrs Earwig and Richard confused us all with his pair of scissors! We got our daily ration of exercise through dancing and games - the hat game revealed a side of Keith we've not seen before! As we arrived Sunday morning, there was an element of uncertainty with an underlying faith that God would lead us, and how blessed we were. Despite problems with the technology that had Ian and John pulling their hair out, we had a terrific service. The singing group had chosen some great songs/hymns with the Chapman's giving us another dose of physical exercise as they led an action song. The prayer group inspired us with their meditations and prayers and the drama group gave a great portrayal of family life. Kim drew many of us to tears with her honest and open testimony of how God has worked His purpose out in her life. As Jackie reminded us, it is hard to believe that only 3 years ago we were contemplating closing the church and as we remembered those who have worshipped before us, we recognised that we belong to something really big - the family of God! In true Thackley fashion, we concluded our weekend with a faith lunch. Thank you to everyone who participated in the weekend. We still have much to do, but we are indeed flourishing!