Rector's Eastertide 2025 Newsletter

Dear Church Member,

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

We have just celebrated the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ across Holy Week and Easter Sunday.  It has been an amazing time for BPC with extra services and huge numbers attending. 
 
Christ’s victory is like no other as it has released us from the penalty of sin (we are washed clean by the blood of the lamb), death has been overcome, and we’ve been given eternal life.  All these are given freely to us by God’s grace (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) but of course came at huge cost: Jesus’ life. 
 
Although fresh in our minds now, the glory of Easter can soon fade as life’s trial and tribulations press in on us.  We must do our very best to give thanks daily for what Christ did for us on the cross and to keep living as an “Easter People’ – that is to say, people forever thankful of Christ’s sacrifice and empowered by the Holy Spirit – the same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead and is living in us. 
 
I want to thank everyone who made all our services so special.  We had nearly 600 souls through the doors on Easter Sunday which I believe is a record for us.  Our services have many working parts and require a lot of planning and huge teams ranging from production through to hospitality and I was overawed by how well everyone pulled together.  I have had so much positive feedback, and I know that many newcomers enjoyed a really warm welcome and have said that they will return.

There is so much to give thanks for and what you may have seen in the national press about a ‘quiet revival’ certainly seems to resonate with BPC.  Please pray for revival!

Growth.  With all the growth comes a need for more people to serve.  We should all (assuming we’re physically able) be aiming to serve once a month and if everyone who could, did so, the duties would be spread evenly and widely and therefore not be at all onerous.  If you’re not yet serving and would like to step-up, please let Andrew know operations@bpchurch.uk.
 
Alpha.   A new Alpha course is starting at BPC on Wednesday 30th April at 7pm.  This is a life-changing course so do think who you can invite along.  Book on at bpchurch.uk/alpha
 
Thanksgiving.  Other things to give thanks for are:

• Our youth and young adults’ ministries continue to grow under Sam’s leadership.
• The Ark continues to grow steadily attracting many young children and their carers.
• A ‘Renew and Thrive’ course for anyone recovering from a divorce or separation took place back in the New Year and really helped the attendees.
• Likewise, the recent Freedom in Christ course (the Hagon’s last) was very well attended and a great success.
• Alpha finished before Easter and saw those on the course making commitments to follow Jesus. 

Looking forward, the Annual Church Meeting is on Sunday 11th May at 1030.  This is the only service in church on that Sunday, and we will be combining all three congregations as we worship, vote on various matters and hear from key ministry leaders.  Do please make every effort to be there.  Children’s groups will be running.  We will once again be providing a picnic lunch, so to help us cater, please reply to the email you have received, or contact the office in case you have not signed up to get emails.
 
Families’ Camp-Out.  Some of us are heading to Stampwell Farm to spend a night out under canvas on Saturday 31st May.  This is a great opportunity for kids to have fun and for parents to get to know one another better.  I need to know who would like to come so please let me know via bpchurch.uk/camping.
 
Knowing how much the BPC family like a good quiz, we’re holding a ‘Pentecost Quiz and Karaoke’ evening on Saturday 7th June.  More details and a booking link are bpchurch.uk/quiz.
 
If you’d like to come with us to the HTB Focus festival (24th - 27th July) please drop me an email.  We’d love to take a big team this year for what I know will be an amazing experience.
 
Things to Pray For.   We would be so grateful for your prayers for the following:

• Our children and teachers at the start of a new term.  Also, those preparing for exams next month.
• We are seeking to recruit a part-time worship leader for the 11am and 6pm congregations.
• Holiday Club is fast approaching, and we need more people to help.  If we cannot grow the team, we’ll have no option but to turn children away.  If you can help, please let Abi Graham know via the Office.
• Wisdom to know how to respond to all the numerical growth.
• The mission trip to Kenya with SOMA in October. 
• Finance & Stewardship.   We give thanks for our finances, but we have so much more we could do were our income to be greater.  If you haven’t yet responded to the stewardship talk that Sarah gave in February it isn’t too late.  See bpchurch.uk/giving for further details.
• Window Project.   The project to refurbish some of the windows in church is progressing and will be ongoing for several months more.  A huge thanks to those who have donated specifically towards this project and to Nigel for all his hard work getting it done.  We still need to raise significant funds if we are to complete them all.

 
At-a-Glance Dates for your Diary:

• Monday 5th May – Prayer & Praise 7.30-8.30pm in BPC.
• Sunday 11th May – APCM at 10.15am
• Sat 31st May – 1st June – Families’ Camp-Out
• Saturday 7th June - Pentecost Quiz in BPC
• Wednesday 11th June - Christian Institute evening in BPC
• Saturday 28th June – Jo Wigley is ordained priest.
• Sunday 20th July - Summer Sundays start – 10am and 5pm services
• 24th – 28th July - HTB Focus
• 2nd – 7th August - DTI Youth Festival
• 12th – 15th August - Holiday Club

 
I have now passed 15 happy years at BPC as your rector and am so grateful to you all for being the most amazing church family!  It is such a pleasure and privilege to be a part of such a vibrant and Spirit-filled church.
 
Finally:   Please pray for all the above challenges and events and for the many Easter visitors to return!