A note from Richard

This Friday (5th January 2024) I will be setting aside my responsibilities as the Development Coordinator for Horsham Churches Together. As I reflect on more than 2 years of service with HCT, I feel immensely privileged to have had the opportunity to serve alongside the Churches and Church leaders the town and villages of Horsham. I accepted this role with a strong sense of Christ’s leading, and I leave it in the same way, with confidence that there is a new season ahead for HCT. The Holy Spirit is on the move in Horsham, and I leave this role with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what God has in store for us as His people. For myself, my next step is to take a couple of months sabbatical during which I am confident that He will show me something of His plan for my own future.

My heart is always to encourage others in their faith and service, and so I am grateful to leaders, forum members, and so many others in Churches, charities and other organisations in Horsham and West Sussex who have been such an encouragement to me during my time in this role.

I am especially grateful for the friendship and support of Clive Urquhart and Michael Hogg, who provide vision and strategy to HCT. I am also hugely grateful to our administrator Anna Pisani, and to Karen Park who gives so much time and energy to leading Horsham Eco Churches.

So, thank you all for your support and your continuing friendship. My prayer is that God will continue to bless and inspire you in His service.

Be blessed and encouraged in Jesus.

Richard

You can keep in touch with Richard via Facebook or through the contact form on his website at www.crossblog.org.uk

It was wonderful to see so many people at the Christmas Carol Service in Horsham Market on Saturday morning (16th December). Wonderful music from the Slinfold Concert Band, and Rev Simon Shorey from St Mark’s sharing the Good News of Jesus. Thanks to the Horsham Market team and especially Sam Albrow who provided the PA system.  Nine different Churches represented amongst the leading and stewarding team. Horsham Churches working together to share the message of Christmas!

The decision to hold COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates has attracted criticism from many groups who have an interest in addressing climate change.  UAE, which is perceived to have a strong vested interest in continued use of fossil fuels,  have also proposed that they host COP 29. Mariana Paoli, Head of Global Advocacy at Christian Aid, said:

“There’s already too many fossil fuel lobbyists interfering with the climate negotiations. Last year at COP27 there were 636 registered, more than any single national delegation apart from the UAE. We need to draw a line in the sand and see these interests removed from the talks, not allow one of the world’s biggest oil producers the job of hosting the meeting two years running. It is totally unacceptable.”

In the light of rapidly deteriorating climate stability and the growing emergency which is impacting every nation across the world, we are encouraging you to pray for good outcomes from this conference.

At 8am every morning during COP28, from 30 Nov to 12 Dec, Green Christian will be 10 minutes of prayer and reflection, focusing on the theme of the day. This will be on Zoom and led by our chaplain, Revd Andrew Norman. To register to join the prayer sessions, click here.

Horsham Churches Together is about ‘Walking Together, Working Together and Worshipping Together.’ Last night, hosted by Kingdom Faith Church, we worshipped together, praying over the towns and villages of Horsham.