By Nicki Frodsham, Jubilee Church Wirral

As I reflect over 2021, the pandemic meant that the start of the year was very difficult.

There was more time at home, not able to see family and friends, Sunday mornings in pyjamas, more home-schooling, and sadly some experienced the loss of a loved one.

The year will be remembered by people in many different ways. Many of you have contributed to something at Jubilee that has helped to show God’s love through our actions, even in a small way.

At the start of this new year, there are still challenging circumstances that we face. I am reminded that there are times when there is sadness alongside celebration.

Someone recently apologised to me about feeling ‘needy’.  I remembered these verses from the bible in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
  a time to kill and a time to heal,
 a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh,
 a time to mourn and a time to dance…

We all go through different seasons at different times. We are praying for peace and comfort for those going through some tough times and also for blessings in 2022.

I would like to say thank you for all that you have done throughout the challenging year of 2021 and for helping to make a difference.

“Going the extra mile” is a phrase we often hear people say; as you know it comes from Matthew 5: 41: If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.   

At Jubilee, we hope you don’t feel forced to go the first mile, but we know many of you do go the extra mile (or two!) in the way you serve the church.

Here are a few examples of the amazing things you have contributed to over the last month:

There was a great response to our Christmas hampers appeal this year.  We were able to give 22 large food bags with essential items and some Christmas treats, to local Health Visitors and Social Workers to distribute amongst the families most in need in our community.

Here are some of the messages we received:

“Thank you so much for the food hampers for the families we are supporting. They will be so grateful and you have done an amazing job.”

“Many, many thanks for your wonderful hampers, how kind of you, they are amazing!”

“Thanks again. Our families are so very grateful!”

We had a wonderful afternoon gathering to sing Carols by Candlelight and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

We were blessed with our very own Jubilee Choir, the delight of watching the children use sign language to convey the words to Silent Night and wonderful refreshments served at the end.

It was a great event to be able to share with visitors. Thank you to all involved.

We took up an offering to help the work of Wirral Change. We are partnering with them as they reach out to local Asylum Seekers and offer some practical help and counselling. Thank you for donating towards this important work.

There are many other ways you have served and supported the work of Jubilee Church this year.  Dave and I are so appreciative of you serving and giving generously with your time and with your money.

THANK YOU for all that you do – however small you feel your part might be.

For those of you who go the extra mile – you are AMAZING!

THANK you so much and God bless

Nicki x