Loving training
I am absolutely loving my time as a trainee. Without a doubt. Once we settled into our new routines and found our time being filled it has been plain sailing since - granted, there's a lot of work to be doing but I've never found myself overloaded and there's always been an opportunity to rest and come to God for strength before cracking on with what's next. All my ministry areas have been a blast and although things still feel somewhat unfamiliar now and again I feel right at home here at church.
Student Bible study (SBS) has been great so far, we've seen loads of new students come and get stuck in! SBS is running in zoom study groups on Thursday evenings with an in-person event at church afterwards for those who aren't isolating. It's worked really well so far, our group has had a great start; everyone gets on well and the first few studies in Hebrews have been really fruitful. It's been great to see everyone else at church afterwards as well. My first study as an SBS leader went really well - it's always relieving when everyone gets the main point by then end!
Kids' work is tiring but a lot of fun! I'm helping lead a Jets (lower primary school) group on Sundays and a Pathfinders (lower secondary school) group on Wednesdays. As with everything else, it's been a huge blessing to meet in person, even with social distancing measures - it's sometimes hard to communicate to the younger kids when you've got to wear a mask but they've all really enjoyed getting back to a bit of normality and seeing their friends again!
I LOVE Prospects! Prospects is our group for adults with learning disabilities - we have a couple of monthly zooms together to catch up and discuss a Bible teaching video sent out each month. Getting zoom to work for everyone is sometimes a little more challenging but the excitement and enthusiasm they always log in with is infectious and it's a joy to catch up with everyone and see how they're doing!
Praise God for the 2nd year student boys! I lead a weekly discipleship group of 2nd years where we catch up, pray for one another and read the Bible. As far as 2nd year guys go they are almost unbelievably consistent in turning up every week with a heart to serve one another in prayer and encouragements, they've loved doing a Bible overview together and they're keen to learn how to read the Bible better for themselves.
North West Partnership is phenomenal. All 7 of us always look forward to Thursdays for when we go to Leyland and get stuck into Scripture. With SBS in the evenings, Thursdays are long days but the skills we've been learning for how to give talks, do one-to-ones and generally read the Bible better easily make it worth it! It's also been great to meet loads of other people from around the North West who all have a heart to bring the Gospel to their churches and communities!
General practical jobs and admin have all been nice and straightforward; there's always a lot to clean and we try to keep a tight ship especially for 3 in-person services on a Sunday, but nothing's really been missed and it never takes too much time out of our week!
Euan