God is in control

I have to admit that I don't usually read The Sun newspaper. However, this week as I travelled to college I encountered a copy left by another passenger. The headline affirmed 'God is in control'.
As my college journey nears its end with a few essays left still to write it is good to be reminded of who it is who has been guiding the process.
This too is true of church life where clearlyGod is control.
I have met with both my field placement tutor and supervisor and reflected upon the way in which God is blessing both my ministry and the church. The Deacons have met with my supervisor and completed my final apraisal form.
It was good to spend time with my support group at Bloomsbury sharing highs and lows of both college and church life.
College is now over until after Easter. Holy Week and Easter services loom and need to be finalised.
I look at the next three weeks when I shall be busy, busy, busy at church and cling to the essential truth that 'God is in control'.

Keeping in touch with friends on the journey.

It is good that we don't travel our journey alone and it is good that we can connect with friends old and new from time to time. Having taken on the role as East Kent Network Home Mission Champion we took a Sunday to remind ourselves of our wider Baptist family and the partnership that helps us support them and they us. We are grateful to be in receipt of a BU Ministry Grant which supports our ministry and it was good to watch BUGB video clips which showed us of similar work to ours in different parts of the country.
Together with friends from the churches of our community we shared the story of the Christian women of Malaysia when we hosted the annual World Day of Prayer service.It was good to have almost every church represented and members taking part.
Another friendship grouping is our local Deal Area Churches Together fraternal. It was good, as always, to meet with clergy colleagues to chat, laugh and plan together.
Interspersed with this was the visit to a care home resident who had been moved to Walmer to be nearer her family but whom friends in the West Country where anxious about. It was good to assure her others were caring and concerned - friends on her journey taking an interest.
Finally, it was good to catch up with old friends passing through the UK on a grand tour of the World - next stop Paris.
So it has been a week of making connections, reminding ourselves of those who take an interest in us as individuals and as a church.
By the time I post the next update, I will have met with my Supervisor and Field Placement Tutors for the final time and also with my Support Group at Bloomsbury. Their friendships, support and interest is greatly valued.
So I, personally, thank God for friends who keep in touch with me on my journey.