It was a time for enjoying togetherness and being refreshed in hope and vision. It’s
been described as ‘fruitful’, ‘encouraging’, and ‘thought-provoking’.
Around 20 people who serve by taking a lead amongst the Stroud Team of Parish
churches met together for the day on Saturday 13 th April at St Peter’s, Framilode. If
you haven’t been there, it is a very hospitable, well-equipped, flexible space which
suited us well for our team ‘away day’. There was plenty of room for gathering in a
circle to talk and worship at the front of the church plus lots of room for the talking
and eating lunch together at round tables in the back half of the open space: this was
a key part of the day too.
Rev’d Canon Ann Sargent (who is the Gloucester diocese director of people who are
thinking about becoming ordained ministers) gave up her day off to lead some
informal worship and some creative sessions for sharing our stories in the morning
and afternoon.
Everyone brought an object or quotation that illustrated something of their personal
faith experience. We took turns to explain them to the group; it was so moving and
encouraging to hear one another’s convictions and experiences. We ended up
creating a pile (or collection) of diverse objects and written excerpts by the end of the
morning: they illustrated our diversity, yet common faith in Jesus. In the afternoon
Ann made a rough map on the floor of our 6 parishes made from 6 coloured pieces
of fabric. We gathered around it, taking turns to place another object or quotation
that said something about where each person perceived God to be active in our local
communities. It was finished off with stones and fairy lights!
Appropriately, the afternoon ended with sharing the bread and wine of communion
together.