The Churches’ Magazine
O U T LO O K
The Churches of the Sodbury Vale Benefice Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury
May 2017 1
Jane is enrolled as a Companion of thewww.svbcofe.org.uk Society of St Francis by Brother Damian. See 1
Churchwardens
Contacts Rector
Chipping Sodbury
The Revd. Canon David Bowers 01454 313159, [Day off Monday] email rector@svbcofe.org.uk
Joy Gibson 01454 319288 Jane Jones-Williams 01454 324970
Associate Priest
Old Sodbury Karen Hunter If you would like to know more about the 01454 319903 Christian faith or are thinking about baptism or confirmation please speak with one of the the ministerial team
Little Sodbury Brenda Cordy 01454 316447
Church Office
Open during school term time Mon - Tue - Thu mornings 9.00 - 12.00 Horton Administrators: 01454 325160 Tina Hildick-Smith Michelle Jenkins, Trish Gailey 01454 320380 email: office@svbcofe.org.uk Richard Needs Web Site: www.svbcofe.org.uk 01454 329890
Advertising:
Any Volunteers Please??
Editor:
This magazine is brought to you Free by the four churches of the Sodbury Vale Benefice. If you would like to make a small donation towards production costs (about 70p per magazine) that would be most welcome. Thank you.
Michael Stephenson 01454 314094 email outlook@svbcofe.org.uk
Nominated Person: Mrs Hilary Holder 01454 327118 This is the person to contact if you wish to express concern about suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult
June Deadline Can you have all copy to Michelle in the Church Office by May 12th at the latest please.
Front Cover- Westonbirt Photo by Linda Hurst
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David Bowers Dear friends In April we said goodbye to Revd Yvonne Brae who has served in the Benefice as Associate Priest. She has now moved to live close to her son and family in Bacup in Lancashire and we wish her every blessing for the future. I know that many people in our parishes have been very grateful for Yvonne’s warm friendship and her pastoral care and I’m sure she will be kept active and involved in the Manchester Diocese, where she will have the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate. Later this year we shall welcome back to our Benefice Revd Peter Fewings, who served the first part of his curacy here before completing it in the Wickwar Benefice. Peter will be joining us this time not as curate, but as Associate Priest and we look forward to having him and Linda with us. He will be licensed at a private ceremony at Bishopscourt, Gloucester and his service of welcome will be on July 23rd at a special Benefice Service at Chipping Sodbury. As we continue to celebrate Easter and look towards Pentecost it is always good to remind ourselves that, although clergy play an important role in leadership and ministry, the work of the mission and life of the Church is the role and responsibility of all Christians. The Holy Spirit gives gifts and talents that equip and enable each follower of Jesus to contribute to the work of the Church and I hope that one of the tasks that both Peter and I will be able to work at is developing the collaborative ministry in our Benefice. Is there some area of involvement, whether within the church or in our outreach in the community, to which God is calling you? As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost on 4th June may we be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our own lives and in the life of the churches of our Benefice. David Bowers
Prayer for the Month This month’s prayer is by an unknown author. It is one which I came across some time ago and speaks of the closeness of God to each one of us and how we all have a unique purpose and role. God is with me now, closer than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet. God has made me for himself. I come from God, I belong to God, I go to God. God knows me, God loves me, God has a use for me now and for ever. 3
taking Bishop Michael bread and wine from our service in Gloucester Cathedral with the love and prayers of the Diocese. Amidst our pain and grief I am thankful that Bishop Michael died in this season of Eastertide when we celebrate Christ’s power over death, and rejoice in the hope of resurrection and life everlasting. In his recent and final book ‘The Way of Christlikeness’, Bishop Michael wrote “The Christian who goes with Christ into the darkest places of Holy Week can also embrace a new life beyond imagining.” This is true now for Bishop Michael who is with Jesus Christ. I will always be grateful for Bishop Michael's wisdom, insight and friendship which I first experienced as a member of General Synod. It is an immense privilege to have followed in Bishop Michael’s footsteps as Bishop of Gloucester and I am deeply aware of the significant impact of his ministry on the lives of individuals and worshipping communities across this diocese. Of course, his gifts and ministry have enabled and influenced so much beyond the borders of this diocese, not least in the prayers and liturgies of the Church of England. More recently Bishop Michael has also been an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the dioceses of Bath and Wells, Carlisle, Portsmouth and Salisbury. As we give thanks for Bishop Michael we are also deeply thankful for Alison, and we pray for her and the family that they will know the everlasting arms of God beneath them and around them. Bishop Michael's funeral will be in Gloucester Cathedral. The date and details will be made available once they are finalised. This comes with my thanks and prayers as ever
Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church: None
Marriages: We send our congratulations to: None
Funerals:We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of:
None
Bishop Michael’s Death A message from Bishop Rachel ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..’ 1 Peter 1:3 It is with g r e a t sadness that I am writing to inform you that Bishop Michael d i e d peacefully at home on Monday evening, April 17, following a special Easter weekend with all the family. I last saw Bishop Michael on Tuesday 11 April during Holy Week. Not only was it good to share together in the Eucharist on that occasion but also to preside at the Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday knowing that the Dean would then be
+Rachel 4
Is this issue the LAST Outlook Magazine?
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The last of a long line!? The Editorial Committee are considering the future of the Outlook Magazine. The evidence we have at present seems to indicated that it is not widely distributed or read and many of the 300 copies produced remain in the box at the end of each month. Perhaps the benefice could make better use of the ÂŁ195 per month that it costs to print? Thank you to those of you who have sent in your views and ideas to Frank Gray. There are some good suggestions there, some of which we have tried without much apparent success. One of the biggest issues is getting people to send in pieces about what is going on in the different churches in the benefice and their own lives and in the lives of the people in our own area. If we are to use the magazine as an outreach to the local people we will need volunteers to distribute it, and a volunteer to organise the distributions. We are still looking for someone to manage the advertising as a means of offsetting some of the printing costs. Give some thought as to whether you could help in one of these roles. The deadline for comments is 7th May so there is still some time to send us your views and ideas. Send your comments into the church office before May 7th (contact details on page 2)
2 High Street, Winterbourne Tel: (01454) 773776 118-120 Station Road,Yate Tel: (01454) 320005 192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath email:info@funerals.uk.net Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate
Book of Remembrance Did you know that we had a Book of Remembrance in Chipping Sodbury? Unfortunately we don't have anywhere safe to display it at present, but hopefully that will be rectified in the foreseeable future. The Book, however, hasn't been updated for a number of years and therefore we are looking for someone, possibly in the Benefice, with calligraphy skills, to perform this task. If you or someone you know could tackle this for us, please contact a member of the Pastoral Care Team, via the Church office. Thank you, The Pastoral Care Team, Chipping Sodbury. 5
Messiah
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE George 9th – 18th October 2018
The Messiah was written by Frideric Handel and premiered in Dublin in the spring of 1742 during Lent. Handel was so famous and drew such crowds to performances of his works that the ladies of the audience were advised not G F Handel to wear hooped skirts and the gentlemen not to wear swords so that more people could be accommodated. The libretto for Messiah was written by Charles Jennens who was a great friend of Handel and had helped to finance the publication of the scores of all of Handel’s music. The whole score of the Messiah contains roughly a quarter of a million notes and was written in three to four weeks. There is no definitive version as Handel rewrote parts to meet abilities of soloists and the available instruments for each of the original 13 performances. In 1789 Mozart did some re-orchestration of the work. The original manuscript, which shows some signs of haste in its preparation, is held in the British Library’s music collection.
The leaflets and booking forms are now available for this and if you would like to come please return your form and deposit to David Bowers. The pilgrimage is organised by McCabe Travel, an experienced company that have organised groups to the Holy Land for many years. The trip has six nights in Jerusalem at the Golden Walls Hotel, a very comfortable and friendly base for time in the Old City and surroundings, including Bethlehem. For the three nights in Tiberias we stay at the Ron Beach Hotel, on the shore of Lake Galilee with its own stretch of private beach. The flights are with El Al from Heathrow and we have a local guide with us throughout the trip. The cost of £2025.00 includes all travel, accommodation, meals, entrance fees and gratuities.
Come and listen to Yate Choral Society’s performance of
Handel’s Messiah Saturday 20th May at 7:30pm St John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury Tickets £10.00
This is a great opportunity to visit many of the places from the Bible and it will bring the Gospels alive to you in a new way. If you would like any further information please contact David Bowers.
Available from 01454 314779 or 316485 Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Centre or Choir Members 6
and 5am the area around the Bishop’s House is patrolled by a fierce guard dog who keeps monkeys away! The following day (Sunday) we had an early start as we travelled to Kothagudem, where we had been invited to the Telugu service at St Andrew’s Church. This journey took slightly longer than planned as our vehicle had a puncture and the church’s mini-bus came out to take us the rest of the way. Kothagudem is a large coal mining town and St Andrew’s is the largest church building in the Diocese, with an average congregation of between 2,000 and 3,000. We had lunch after the service, followed by a very welcome opportunity to rest in their guest house, before being taken to St Mary’s Church in Khammam for their evening service (in English). After the service we were taken by our hosts to a wonderful restaurant which is surrounded by very attractive gardens and very popular with families in the town. On the Monday we spent most of the day at a clergy retreat in Khammam at which Bishop Rachel and I spoke. It was difficult to follow most of the talks as they were in Telugu but a helpful priest translated some of it for us. This was also a chance for me to catch up with some friends, including Balaji and Israel who visited us last year. Later in the day we had the opportunity to visit the newly-built classrooms to accommodate the developing English medium facilities at St Mary’s School, supported by the Gloucester Diocese. We also visited the School for children with learning disabilities in Khammam. This
Visit to India by Bishop Rachel, Guy Treweek and David Bowers DORNAKAL We arrived at Hyderabad Airport on Saturday 25th at about 5.30am after a direct flight from Heathrow with BA and were met by Ananda Rao, the Bishop’s Chaplain, and Malesh, one of the drivers. It was good to walk out of the terminal building into the early morning sunshine, with the temperature already rising. By the time we arrived in Dornakal it would be in the high 30s. After a journey of several hours, including a late breakfast stop at Suryapet (masala dosa) and a lunch stop at Khammam (butter chicken and chapattis), we arrived in Dornakal at about 3pm to an amazing welcome by Bishop Prasada Rao, his wife, Revd Sunanda, and lots of representatives from the Diocesan Office, schools and hostels. After a welcome rest in our rooms above the Bishop’s House we were invited to the
home of Mr Shubhakar, the Diocesan Treasurer for supper. Our rooms had air conditioning and we had a kettle and fridge just outside on the balcony, along with a notice warning that between 9pm 7
was the Polio Home, as polio has thankfully now been mainly eradicated in India. The school also has an outreach programme to work with children in the surrounding villages who have cerebral palsy. We had an opportunity to meet with the superintendent of the centre at Khammam, Prabhakar Rao, and I managed to visit the social worker Nirmal, whose daughter has just graduated from medical school. Finally on the Monday we visited St Mary’s Hospital in Khammam, originally founded by CMS and supported mainly now by an American medical charity.The out-patients department is particularly busy and provides a service which is much cheaper than the many private hospitals. There is also a school of nursing and a residential home for the elderly on the campus.
for “sugarless�) and snacks, usually biscuits, nuts, samosas and occasionally the very rich sweets made with condensed milk. After a stop at Khammam we arrived back at Dornakal and had supper with the Bishop and Sunanda at their house. On our final day in Dornakal we began by worshipping at the Ash Wednesday Eucharist in the Cathedral, an early morning service at 7.30 in which many of the congregation were staff and children from the hostels in the compound . After the service we were honoured with garlands and shawls and had the opportunity to wear our new Indian clothes, presented to us the previous day. Our last visit in Dornakal was to the English Medium School in the Cathedral
On Tuesday 28tFebruary we visited two day care centres at Garidepalli and
compound which has a long-established link with the Kings School in Gloucester. We were welcomed into the classrooms and had lunch with the staff. After lunch we left Dornakal and made our way back to Hyderabad where we had booked to stay for one night at the Novotel near the Airport. Our flight to Bangalore was originally scheduled for 12.30pm but had been changed to 8.40am, so it was a very early start from the hotel the following morning. Next Bangalore:
Kodad. These are day nurseries for very young children and pre and post school facilities for older children. The parents at both places are very low-paid casual agricultural labourers. We were again welcomed with garlands and shawls and the children sang and danced for us. The visits also involve tea or coffee (always automatically with sugar unless you ask 8
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OPEN GARDEN DAYS Sat, July 1st and Sun, July 2nd at Nutridge, Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2UF 2.00pm to 5.00pm Admission £4.00. Children under 16 free.
donated funds for the establishment of new village gardens, including the digging of wells, nearer the centre of Genieri and now await the return of the garden manager after his training course in Banjul. There have been two visits from Yate and Sodbury members in the last twelve
A three acre garden with perennial beds, woodland and open areas.Refreshments and plants for sale. Proceeds in aid of Genieri, the African village linked with Yate Charity no. 1057814 www.yate-genierilink.org
Richard Gilpin in Genieri earlier in the year
Open Garden Days Margaret and Graham Newman’s garden at Nutridge is already looking good, and ready to welcome you on July 1st and 2nd (2.00pm to 5.00pm). As in previous years cream teas will be served and pianists and singers will provide live background music. The Open Days are in aid of the African village of Genieri and the contributions of people in Sodbury and Yate have always been vital in raising the standard of living in the village. (website; www. yategenierilink.org.uk) There have been notable developments in Genieri this year. The charity has
months among them the Benefice’s own Richard Gilpin. Their tasks were to oversee the progress of projects and to allot funds where possible. The solar lights which were installed last year are now functioning well and teething problems have all been overcome. The generator and solar panels used to power the television are a source of income to the village as their greatest use is to show football matches for which a small charge is made. At other times the television is used for educational purposes in the Day Care Centre. The big news of the year from The Gambia has been the removal from power of its controversial dictator Yahya Jammeh, an act which was greeted with a sigh of relief in Genieri. 10
Friends of Old Sodbury Church
Pudding Evening Friday 19th May 2017 – 7:30pm
Old Sodbury Village Hall Plus fun food quiz Bring your own drinks and glasses
Tickets £9.00 available from: John Myers 312223 Tracy Shipp 324673 NB: Tickets are limited for this popular event.
HOLIDAY HOME
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Call Bob Alcock
01454 313880
bobandsueal@gmail.com 11
Developing diverse lay and ordained leaders from the communities we serve
God calls each one of us
Message from the Revd Canon Dr Andrew Braddock Director of Mission and Ministry in the Diocese of Gloucester ‘They are unreliable witnesses.' That is how some of Jesus’ disciples dismissed the news brought by Mary, Joanna and other women that Jesus' tomb was empty and that he was risen. Indeed Luke's Gospel tells us that the women’s message seemed to the other disciples to be no more than ‘an idle tale, and they did not believe them.' Yet it was to these women that God gave the Easter message that Jesus is risen. It was these ‘unreliable witnesses’, so easily dismissed by the other disciples, that were the first to announce that God was doing a new and transforming thing. These women remind us of two things. First, that God will often enable new beginnings to be led from surprising places. As a church we need to create space and opportunities for fresh leadership and insights to challenge our perceptions and help us see anew what God may be bringing to birth. Secondly, leadership is not just about roles and authority. It is also about influence – leading by example. That’s what the women who followed Jesus did as they simply went out to share what they had seen and heard. In so doing they became the first witnesses to the resurrection, becoming messengers and participants in God’s transformation of death and loss into the gift of life now and eternally. That’s the kind of leadership and witness we are all called to share in, not simply in the church, but in the world.
Recognising God’s call ‘Who me? No, I’m the last person God would call.’ Having been brought up in a church tradition that was uncomfortable with women as leaders I, like so many women before me, heard the call of God and tried to get others to follow it. The fact that God didn’t differentiate took some learning. God calls each one of us. First of all he calls us into a relationship but then he calls us to work with him to build the kingdom wherever we are – in our daily lives, in everything we do. Some of us don’t think that what we do or who we are is special enough for God’s call. But God calls the weak and the strong, men and women, the young and the old. In that calling God also calls some of us to work for him in ministries specific to the church – to be deacons, priests or readers. Women today still often feel that God might not be able to use them in these roles. Perhaps you know of a woman whom God is clearly calling to ministry, or perhaps God is calling you? Don’t be afraid to encourage them to explore or ask that question – ‘Who me?’ The Revd Pauline Godfrey, Discipleship and Vocations Officer in the Diocese of Gloucester Young Women: God’s Calling will take place on 18 November 2017. Contact Pauline on pgodfrey@glosdi oc.org.uk or 01452 835548.
From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
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From “The Messenger” www.gloucester.anglican.org
Teas on Sunday at Old Sodbury Church 2.30 - 4.30pm Sunday afternoons during the summer
May 21st (Sixth Sunday of Easter) Acts 17: 22 - 31 1 Peter 3: 13 - end John 14: 15 - 21 Psalm 66: 7 - end
May 28th (Seventh Sunday of Easter) Acts 1: 6 - 14 1 Peter 4: 12 - 14, 5: 6 - 11 John 17: 1 - 11 Psalm 68: 1 - 10, 32 - end
from May 28th to Sept 17th Come and have a cup of tea and see the amazing view over the Severn Valley
A story from World War I Principal Service Readings May May 7th (Fourth Sunday of Easter) Acts 2: 42 - end 1 Peter 2: 19 - end John 10: 1 - 10 Psalm 23
May 14th (Fifth Sunday of Easter) Acts 7: 55 - end 1 Peter 2: 2 - 10 John 14: 1 - 14 Psalm 31: 1 - 5, 15 - 16
This is a story which illustrates one aspect of Jesus' death. There's a story told of a British soldier during World War I who fled the battlefield and deserted his regiment one night. He headed for the coast to find a boat to England and ended up hopelessly lost, wandering around in the dark night. The soldier came across what he thought was a signpost and began to climb it. If he could read it, he might find out which direction to go. As he reached the top of the pole, he struck a match. The flicker of light revealed an unexpected sight. He found himself looking into the face of Jesus Christ. Instead of a signpost, he had climbed up a roadside crucifix. Clinging to that cross, the soldier remembered that Christ had died for him. Christ had endured suffering and never turned back. The next morning the soldier returned to the trenches. Quoted from Exploring Christianity, a New Zealandbased website
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Sodbury Vale Benefice Regular Weekly Events Monday
7.30pm
Bell Ringers’ Practice CS
Church Tower, Chipping Sodbury
Tuesday
8.30am
Morning Prayer
Church Centre, Upper Room,Chipping Sodbury
9.15pm
Stor'k'ies
St John's Church, Chipping Sodbury
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
730pm
Bell Ringer’s Practice Horton
St James’, Horton
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
7.00pm
Benefice Choir Practice
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
8.30am
Morning Prayer
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
7.00pm
Youth Club (age 11-18)
Baptist Church Centre
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Note: No Morning Prayers on Bank Holidays
Sodbury Vale Benefice Forthcoming Events 11th June
9.30am
Chipping Sodbury Festival Service
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
18th June
10.30am
Communion with Bishop Robert
St John’s Old Sodbury
23rd July
10.30am
Benefice Service to welcome Peter
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
30th
10.30am
Benefice Communion
St Adeline’s Little Sodbury
7.00pm
Crib Festival opening night
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
Crib Festival
St John’s, Chipping Sodbury
July
28th Nov 29th
Nov -
3rd
Dec
If you don’t see your event in the list above please let me know, once it is on this calendar other people can put it on theirs! All times are subject to change look out for further details closer to the date. Michelle 01454 325160 office@svbcofe.org.uk
Magazine Advertising Organiser Wanted Sylvia Franklin is standing down from the role and we thank her for the great work she has done over the years. As a result the editorial team needs a volunteer who will look after the advertising for the Outlook magazine. The job entails keeping in contact with the advertisers, persuading them to renew their adverts when the time comes and looking for new advertisers in the local community. If you are able to help please initially contact Michelle in the Church Office 01454 325160 or by email at office@svbcofe.org.uk
Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar May 2017 Tue
2nd
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
4th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Holy Communion
St John’s, C/S
St John’s Praise
St John’s, C/S
Mattins
St James’, Horton
Family Communion
St John’s O/S
8.00am Sun 7th 9.30am Fourth Sunday of 11.15am Easter 11.15am 6.00pm
Evensong
St Adeline’s L/S
Mon
8th
7.45pm
Mothers’ Union
Church Centre, C/S
Tue
9th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 327118 for venue
Wed
10th
7.30pm
Crib Festival Meeting
Church Centre, C/S
Thurs
11th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Family Service
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
Sun 14th Fifth Sunday of Easter Mon
15th
7.30pm
Mission Prayer Group
Church Centre, C/S
Tues
16th
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
Thurs
18th
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Sat
20th
7.30pm
Yate Choral Society concert
St John’s, C/S
9.30am
Family Communion
St John’s C/S
11.15am
Mattins
St James’, Horton
11.15am
Holy Communion {BCP}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Evensong {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
2.00pm
Tea and Chat
Church Centre C/S
3.00pm
Meditation Meeting
Ring 327118 for venue
10.00am
Holy Communion
St John’s C/S
10.45am
Coffee Shop
Church Centre C/S
Sun 21st Sixth Sunday of Easter
Tue
Thurs
23rd
25th
9.30am
Parish Communion
St John’s C/S
Sun 28th Seventh Sunday of Easter
11.15am
Holy Communion {CW}
St James’ Horton
11.15am
Morning Praise {CW}
St John’s O/S
6.00pm
Holy Communion {BCP}
St Adeline’s L/S
Tue
9.15am
Storkies
St John’s, C/S
30th
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Taking risks with prayer Why is it easier to jump off a cliff backwards than it is to talk to my friends about God?
I’m not an adrenalin junky, but I’ve taken a few risks in life – physical risks, like launching myself out of a plane (with a parachute) and abseiling off a 200 foot cliff, but when it comes to talking about the Christian faith or asking a friend to church I’m quivering in my boots with all sorts of misgivings. Asking them is going to ruin our friendship… talking about God will embarrass them… I don’t want them to feel awkward… the list goes on
The mission started and he still hadn’t asked him. He described feeling like a complete failure because he hadn’t had the courage to invite his friend to one of the events. But God had been at work and his prayers were answered in the strangest way. During the week of the mission he was in the library when the friend he had planned to invite came up to him. The Archbishop recounts, “He said, “Oh Hi, Justin… I hear there’s some kind of Christian thing going on this week in the university.” and I said, “Yep, yes there is.” He said, ‘Is there any chance I could be allowed to go to it?’ And I said, ‘Yes… you can come with me if you like!’ He said, ‘Oh, can you spare the time?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ “ The friend went along and through that mission he found Christ and is still walking with Him today. According to the Archbishop, “The Holy Spirit is the one who opens ears and warms hearts, not us.” So if you’re praying for your friends to know Jesus and are struggling to know what to say – don’t stress about how to speak to them - just pray.
The Archbishop of Canterbury made me realise I’m not alone. The other day he shared a story about his inability to invite a university friend to a Christian event, many years ago. He talked about a mission that was being planned at his university and how there was someone he was thinking he could ask to come along. He explained, “I was terrified, absolutely terrified, and I prayed for him every day but I couldn’t quite get up the nerve to ask him to one of the talks.”
You never know what God will be arranging behind the scenes.
Source - Thy Kingdom Come Blog
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