This is a photo from our welcome event.
Can you spot the connection here? Ugo, Blessing, George and Eto are all from West Africa. (Nigeria and Ghana).
It's funny, but I doubt they would have appeared in a "welcome event" photo ten years ago: there's been such a massive immigration from West Africa just recently that I think we're only just picking up on it. George and Eto recently got confirmed through our church.
But then, they weren't the only ones there: about seventy people came to the welcome event, including the hosts. Below you can Bud at the front, who's been part of the congregation for 40 years.
I think you can also see Luke and Iwan on the for left, probably chatting about football.
I think you can also see Luke and Iwan on the for left, probably chatting about football.
It was a great event - we were lucky with the weather - and we had lots of lovely conversations with people we don't always get a chance to chat with.
Fabulous to see everyone.
We also had some input about what we should do as a church from people: the most popular particular activity was a coach trip to the seaside. Now, to be honest, we haven't got one planned right now, but we'll have that in mind for the future. Look out Broadstairs!
Anyway, that was last week, looking forward, we have not one but two baptisms this Sunday: James at 10am, and Crystal at 2pm.
As for me, actually, I won't be there as I'm representing the church at the 60th annivesary of the rebuilding of their church by our friends at the Bonhoeffer church, the church where Dietrich Bonhoeffer himself was a pastor in the 1930s.
If you want to know about him, find out more here:
It's astonishing to think that one of older members of our congregation, Marion, can remember as a child that grown-ups were talking approvingly of this young pastor back when he was actually here.
Bonhoeffer's tale feels like history, but it's not long ago. His courage feels superhuman, yet he also trod these same streets.
It'll be a privilege to be there.
Father Robert
