Weekly Update – 10th August
10 years ago as part of the St Nicholas 40th Birthday Celebrations we updated the name of our all age services from Hosanna to Oasis. The launch of this new name was at a service at 5pm and many many people came to find rest and refreshment at the oasis we built – perhaps you were one of them. At the time we felt that the name oasis summed up all that we wanted to offer people in a service – rest, refreshment and renewal, to better enable them to live their everyday lives. The idea of an all age afternoon service was then revisited the following January and the monthly Oasis in the Afternoon service was started. Initially it met in the church hall and had many families attending who would have found it difficult to come on a Sunday morning because of sport or work commitments. After a couple of years it moved into the church but still kept the relaxed feel, always starting with refreshments and an activity. It has always aimed to be accessible to all ages and everyone who comes has been able to have a voice. The aim of rest, refreshment and renewal has continued to be a driving force as for many families over the years these are commodities in short supply, so greatly valued! Over the last few years the numbers have fluctuated, although they have been steady since changes made at the beginning of the year. However the time has come to lay this service down to allow for new things to happen… so, watch this space!
August can be a strange month, as whatever age you are, normal routines stop as many clubs and activities stop during this month (although at St Nicholas both the weekly Tuesday Café and monthly Mums & Babes group still carry on!). The stopping of usual routines can be restful and a chance to try some new activities/challenges and be renewed and refreshed that way. Rest is more than just stopping everything to do nothing, in fact that is not very helpful and can be de-motivating, but it’s about doing something different, whilst stopping other things. A book that I have been recommended to read called “Sacred Rest” (it’s not a religious text), identifies 7 different types of rest – physical, mental ,emotional, social, sensory, creative and spiritual rest – that are not just different ways to relax but are actually different needs that, when neglected can lead to us feeling depleted, weary or burnt out. Dr Dalton-Smith’s theory is that each type of rest plays a vital part in our overall well-being and replenishes our energy. In the Bible, God allowed Elijah to rest (and even sent angels to feed him) before sending him to find Elisha (someone to share the burden!). In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary or heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Refresh me, Lord, with Your living water.
If I start to feel tired or jaded remind me to drink deeply of your Word
and to spend time in Your presence to refresh my soul.
AMEN
Have a restful month
Fiona
