abi

The missional community of St James & Emmanuel

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Is being a Christian just about doing the right thing? We dont think so.
Good job too life is hard enough as it is. Following Christ, putting him at the centre of our lives can help us make sense of lots of things. But it also raises lots of questions tough, often confusing questions with not-sostraightforward answers. So its good to know that, through the good bits and the bad bits, we dont walk alone. There are other people who are exploring, asking, falling down, getting up and trying to work things out too. Thats why St James & Emmanuel has established Abide.

The Five Rhythms of Grace

What is Abide?

These encourage us to live as believers in the real world, not in some kind of holy huddle. The term, Rhythms of Grace, is taken from Eugene Petersons (google him) translation of Matthew 11:28: Walk with me and work with me watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Its a series of statements that sound quite highbrow, but really are just a good way of learning how to follow Jesus without embarrassing God. The five rhythms are not rules that dictate behaviour, but a starting point to help us to understand who we are, and what we need to do to grow as disciples of Christ. Remember, this is a journey we walk together.

The short answer is ordinary people with ordinary lives, exploring and learning how to walk an extraordinary path together. Were not experts, were certainly not spiritual gurus, were just normal people trying to work it out. Perhaps thats why ordinary people enjoy the experience of exploring with us. Were whats known as a missional community (but dont let that term put you off); it just means were less churchbased, and more real-life-based. Abide works out from three places: 1: The Five Rhythms of Grace 2: Gatherings 3: Mission & Prayer

Gatherings

Rhythm One: By Gods grace, I will seek to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Rhythm Two: By Gods grace, I will be open to the presence, guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Rhythm Three: By Gods grace, I will set aside time for prayer, worship and spiritual reading. Rhythm Four: By Gods grace, I will endeavour to be a gracious presence in the world, serving others and working for justice in human relationships and social structures. Rhythm Five: By Gods grace, I will sensitively share my faith with others: participating in Gods mission both locally and globally.

Most people from Abide are scattered around the usual sunday services of St James & Emmanuel, but in particular the Sunday evening service. As Abide we get together twice a month. The second Tuesday of each month We have a shared meal in Emmanuel Church, where in amongst culinary delights and dirty dishes, we encourage and support one another in our desire to become people rooted in God and grow in spiritual maturity.

The fourth Sunday of each month At 6.15pm in Emmanuel Church we host a service where all are welcome. Its pretty experimental in nature. For example it could be a contemplative service, a jazz mass, or an alternative worship service. You dont need to bring anything, just the willingness to try something new.

Mission and Prayer

For us, mission and prayer go hand-inhand. We reckon they are so closely linked, they could almost be brothers. Mission God is not passive. Whats more, He delights in relationship with those He has created. He showed that clearly through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. And all we want to do is follow that example; demonstrating and reflecting Gods love. Its our aim to enable and encourage people to do this where they live and work. Prayer At midday each day we encourage people who are part of Abide to recite the Lords Prayer.

Rowan Williams was once asked, If you could reduce all of Christianity down to the back of a single envelope, what would you write?. He replied: Well thats simple, I would write out the words of The Lords Prayer. The whole idea of praying at midday is that it allows God to interrupt our day. Whether youre into a regular time of prayer or not, disciplining yourself to pray slap bang in the middle of the day means your mind turns to God, irrespective of how busy your day is. We also have seasons of prayer and a prayer diary through which we pray for one another, Abides mission and the church as whole.

abide

Our Father in heaven,

abide.me.uk info@abide.me.uk

hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

St James & Emmanuel Parish Office Parish Centre 6 Barlow Moor Road Didsbury Manchester M20 6TR Tel: 0161 446 4150 stjamesandemmanuel.org

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