Throughout lockdown our social interactions have changed dramatically. We are no longer gathering or catching up with people in the same way. So it can perhaps feel difficult to share our faith with others. Carole was feeling very unsettled by the lack of connection that the lockdown brought. So she started to think of creative ways to connect with God and with others
Courses designed to enable enquirers to look into the Christian faith have been a significant part of church life for over three decades now. The best known of these is the hugely popular Alpha Course, with Christianity Explored also being widely used. Typically, the groups either run in someone's home, a church hall, or in some cases a church will hire out a restaurant or similar venue for the duration of the course. But how would such courses fare in Lockdown?
Now that we are entering the second working week of 2021 you might be starting to thinking about Lent courses. We may not be able to gather in our normal way, but all of the courses suggested would work virtually.
In Oadby, the people of St Paul's Church have sharing their stories of everyday faith, prayer, action and witness. Their thoughts have been collated into a series of videos called Faith During Lockdown, looking at the five notions of Prayer, Scripture, Justice, Environment and Hope.
Chris Sheldon has been appointed to this new voluntary role
Neil Jones and Janet Arthur has been named in the New Year Honours
Bishop Martyn sends new year greetings and a reminder that the Christmas message of 'God with us' and Jesus's invitation to bring our worries to God in prayer, remain our source of comfort and joy.
People from around the diocese sent in their stories of what their everyday faith has been like during lockdown, as part of the Shaped By God Together Process. These stories were read by many from around the diocese and insights emerged...
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A heavenly host of angels, sheep-a-bleating, neighing horses, mooing cows and a little donkey, were among the stars of Leicestershire Young Farmer's first ever ‘Drive In Living Nativity' service, held here in the rural heart of our diocese on Sunday. Melton Mowbray Cattle Market came alive as the young farmers and their farmyard friends re-enacted the greatest story ever told.
Bishop Martyn and Bishop Guli have recorded a video message which is available to download and include in your own online Christmas services.
