Harvest - celebration and transition
Harvest is a time of celebration and transition and so it is with the Lightwave Community. From 22nd-23rd September, many of us will be involved in leading the LoveRural Conference at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. This is a national conference with great speakers from all over England and beyond - but it will particularly tell the story of what God has been doing among us in Suffolk with many of our hub leaders sharing their learning from the last seven years. You can find out more at bit.ly/loverural. If you would like to join us, please note that bookings will close on 14th September.
At the same time as celebrating the fruit of faith discovered and lives transformed, we also prepare for a new season. Bishop Joanne, our new bishop for St Edmundsbury and Ipswich moves to Suffolk in October. Sally Gaze, leader of the Lightwave Community goes on sabbatical at the end of September until Christmas and leaves at the end of the 2025. Diane Grano (leader of the Forest Heath Hub) will be acting leader during Sally's sabbatical and become the next leader of the Lightwave Community in due course. In this she will be ably supported by Kirk Matthews, our new Lead of Operations. So lots to thank God for - and also lots to pray for both in our local ministries and for the the Lightwave Community as a movement across Suffolk
THANKING GOD FOR THE HARVEST... Over the summer, God has been at work - people coming to faith; people working together across different churches, needs being fulfilled and new dreams coming to fruition... for example...
- Joyful pentecost celebrations at Alde River (pictured below)
- Amazing Holiday Club in Red Lodge
- Brilliant Fire and Feast Event with Cook@Church (pictured below)
- Emerge (pictured right celebrating their 3rd birthday at Moons Wood)
- The 4 O'clock Community Chadbrook (Youth and families workers pictured below at Buckingham Place)
- The new Clergy Day Retreat Voucher Scheme began in the summer at the Place by the Water. Under this scheme all CofE clergy in the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich are entitle to a voucher for a free Retreat Day , paid for by the Henry Smith Charity. We are so grateful for this opportunity to bless Suffolk clergy.
- The final evaluation of the Growing in God in the Countryside Project took place over the summer and the report is positive with lots to learrn for both here in Suffolk and the rural church elsewhere. We hope to be able to share it soon.
- Our previous comms missioner Becky Luetchford has given birth to a lovely baby girl called Emilia. We are looking forward to meeting her.
PLEASE PRAY FOR...
- The Lightwave hubs and small groups - for more information go to www.lightwave.community/find-a-group. Especially pray for Rob Leveritt and the Alde River Benefice as they form a Lightwave group and undertake a season of listening for God's mission in their area.
- Our new Director of Operations, Kirk Matthews and Youth Worker, Miriam Gee as they settle into their roles this month and Andy Buttress from Bridge Communities as he starts a new role as a vicar in rural Suffolk.
- Work for long term financial sustainability and increase in giving.
- Our Trustees, staff and the ongoing work of discernment and planning for the Lightwave Community to contribute to and flourish within the wider diocese in the years ahead - Especially pray for the Appreciative Inquiry proposals being formed this month.
- Refreshment and learning for our leaders on Sabbatical (Edward Land: Sept-November, Sally Gaze: October-December)
- Blessing for St Christopher's Church in Red Lodge, who are now hosting the Lightwave Hub in their building. And for God's provision and guidance over a potential new building to share as part of the new building in Red Lodge.
Thankyou for all your prayers. It makes so much difference
Every blessing
Sally Gaze and Diane Grano
