1 Thessalonians 5: 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Celtic Crossroads is a 24/7 continuous prayer community of diverse real people saying real prayers... all the time. If you wish to join us you are very welcome, whoever you are, wherever you are. All we ask is that you commit to an hour of prayer every week for at least six months, and that you keep us updated with what you're doing.
I don't feel welcome in my church.
I should add: my Anglican church.
I visit many different churches, almost all of them more welcoming and inclusive than my Anglican church, of which we have three in my town.
Three!
Not enough congregation to fill one, and not a child in sight on a Sunday. No Sunday schools in the entire benefice of 9 churches.
A church without children is a dead church.
...and I wonder: does anyone feel welcome in these churches?
I met up with the local 3rd Order Franciscans last Thursday, and together with Tenby Townswomens' Guild, we visited Henllan POW Camp, near Newcastle Emlyn in Ceredigion.
A fascinating place, we were taken to The Church of the Sacred Heart, a church built by the Italian prisoners of war and decorated inside with paintings done by Mario Ferlino.
We were told the history of the place by Jon Meirion Jones, who is incredibly knowledgeable, and has written a book (currently only in welsh) about the subject.
I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful place if you can. It's on privately owned land, and they accept requests for visits from groups of 12 or more. If you don't have a group of 12, they'll tell you when other groups are attending so you can come at the same time. They do not charge a fee for this, but you can leave donations at the church.
The son of a POW has set up a very nice Italian restaurant a few miles down the road.
I received an email during half term to pray for Juliette. She is a colleague who works at the local school, and had been rushed into hospital with suspected Septicemia. She was very poorly.
I immediately emailed this around my prayer friends, and we have continued to pray for Juliette.
Today, while cycling the Tour of Pembrokeshire, I "chanced" upon her mother-in-law, a very good friend. I was in the middle of a 60 mile cycle ride. She was, I presume, walking home from her new village church, brolly up against the heavy driving rain. What were the odds on us both being in that place at the same time?
Juliette is recovering slowly "one day at a time", and it will take some time before she is fully recovered. Your prayers, please.
