Welcome and thanks for stopping by. Perhaps you heard about us from the RevSarah Shares podcast, a random social media post, walked past the building and wondered or caught something on YouTube. Maybe you need something – support, prayer, a gentle reminder that God loves you for you. Maybe you are looking for answers. Please take time to look about and see if there is a connection here for you.  We are a warm welcoming church family, believing that all of us are valued and we love to be inclusive. We preach the Gospel in word and action, and in this season of Lent and Easter we are reminded how much God loves us. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross might seem extreme but when we look that bit deeper, we find that it is all about freedom, our freedom.

What do I mean by that? Well, I am in the midst of a Lent fast where I have given up cheese and sweet treats. And today it struck me why this Lent fast is so important, and I am not sure I have ever thought about it this way before. So, maybe it is a fresh thought for you too. On the surface cheese and sweet treats are insignificant. Reflecting I realised that I want to be free of these restrictions. Part of me is genuinely in a hurry to see Lent finished so I can be free to choose cheese and pickle sandwiches for lunch (a classic) and use my free bakery treat for me! It might seem so innocuous amid everything yet freedom is something we treasure and we resent it when we don’t have it. The morning alarm calling us to work, school, childcare, appointments…the diet restrictions of swips (iykyk), the responsibilities that will not go away even in grief or ill health.

Recognising how the Lent restrictions make me feel I sense that Easter will hit me differently this year. You will hear many talk of Jesus taking on the sins of the world and this is true. Sin is what stops us having a free and open relationship with God. It gets in the way, distorts our perspective of God and damages relationships with God, with ourselves, with each other and with the natural order. Again and again, we are told to repent but that just means to turn around and walk towards God who has already walked towards you! Easter is the gift of freedom – the freedom to love, the freedom to forgive others and yourself, the freedom to live life in all its fullness and no, you don’t need to win the lottery for that to happen. 

Maybe you are not sure why you stopped by here. But if this resonates with you and you want to explore more what freedom looks like please do connect with us. The door is open for all, questions are welcome (we are all learning), and perhaps you might find exactly what you are looking for.  God’s mercy is free and all encompassing. Check out our Holy Week services and Easter Sunday services, look us up on YouTube, add a prayer to the wall or access the groups or support.

May you know the freedom found in Christ this Easter, that even when troubles abound, as they surely do, you will know he gets it and is right there with you.

Peace be with you.

Love Sarah

“…now you have been set free from sin and are the children of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to him, and the result is eternal life.” Romans 6:22