Deeper

Some changes are afoot in the Smith household....

For the last year of his training, Andy will be working alongside Andy Poultney, my Youth Adviser colleague in the Barking Area and members of The Order of Mission with us in this part of the world. Andy P and the Deeper network of mainly young adults was recently granted the first Bishops Mission Order (BMO) in Chelmsford Diocese. They have a vision to plant a Missional community into Romford town centre, working alongside the pubbers and clubbers who utilise the night time venues as well as being involved in youth outreach and other ministries in the town centre. So far this has been in partnership with other town centre churches and the Street Pastors in Havering and will soon see the opening of a venue on the High Street to be used as a worshipping, community and outreach space. Andy S will be getting involved with all that Deeper does; a great pioneering experience at the early stages of a church plant and a chance to work with TOM colleagues and apply TOM values and vows in a very practical way. 

So what does that mean for us as a family? Well, we come as a package and we go as a package so we will all be moving on from Emmanuel Church in October. It will be a time of mixed emotions - exciting to think of what is ahead and all God has called us to but it will be hard to leave, especially the youth groups we have been working with and the friends we have made. 

The Deeper Community currently meets 2 Sundays a month for worship, teaching and fellowship at the Poultney's home, with the other 2 Sundays being set aside for 'Out' - Missional small groups seeking to share and impact lives with the love of Jesus. For us, this means we will be able to be around more in Hutton on those Sundays and develop work with the Friday Mums group and the cycling connections Andy is making. Which is a great opportunity in this last year we are here before moving on to curacy. It seems to be a blessing of more time in this place we call home at present. But its also a daunting prospect - such a God given and great opportunity but much to be done too and we'll hardly have started before it will be time to move on again....mustn't think like that though...

We are still waiting for any news of where we might be headed for curacy - as I write, Falcon Camp team have just departed for Fellowship Afloat until Thursday and then we head to Scarborough to visit our new niece and her family, followed by Soul Survivor, time with my family and then Andy is off to the USA for 2 weeks. So time is a bit scarce for exploring any offer which may come through. Here's hoping its soon...

Countdown...

1st July - end of Andy's academic year and the beginning of my busiest months; July through to December. In the midst of youth events, essay writing, kids and school busyness and summer plans we are also waiting for some indication of where we might be going for a curacy from June 2014. The Petertide ordinations this weekend marked the beginning of a countdown towards Andy's ordination this time next year. Scary thought...

Some things we know: we'll have a 7 year old and a 2 year old. Our car will be almost dead. I'll be 36 and Andy will be 33. He will probably be a lot thinner as his triathlon and long distance cycling training continues. I will probably be fatter cos I will have baked too much!! We will have 2 more nephews or nieces (or one of each!) We know we'll be sad to leave but excited for the future. We hope to be permanent members of TOM. We know that God is with us. 

Other than that: it's all feeling very unknown. In a meeting the other week, my comment that we get to choose anything about this next stage was laughed at. It's hard not to feel as though we're a bit of a pawn in a big chess game. 

So we watch the post, check emails, try not to speculate, attempt to be open and gracious and expectant. Not feeling very convinced at present!