Bishop Christopher has once again called the Diocese to a Season of Lay Ministries. We very much hope that this will now be an annual event and this year and in future years it is being held now, during Epiphanytide. This season of gifts is a great time to celebrate the gifts of the whole people of God and especially of our laity. We are all called to be take part in sharing God’s love and Good News with those around us whether we are those who live out our faith in our daily lives at work and at home or those who are affirmed, commissioned or licensed ministers within the church. In this Season of Lay Ministries we want to celebrate all that people do to make God’s love known and care for those in the church and in the wider community.

As well as these Hearts on Fire blogs about the Lay Ministries that people are undertaking we have sermon outlines available as well videos of the sermons along with prayers and hymn suggestions for the four Sundays beginning this Sunday 8 January and ending on 29 January. Check out the Diocesan website for details: southwark.anglican.org/exploring-your-call/lay-ministries

We hope that in this Season you might want to consider what ministry you might be called to and to find out more about how to explore this further. A Vocations Forum can help with that and the next one is on Saturday 4 February and there is another on Saturday 11 March. You can find details at: southwark.anglican.org/news-events/events/whats-on/vocations-forum/ or it might be that someone in your congregation would benefit from that little nudge which might help them to consider whether they are called to serve God in a particular way.

So let’s take this time to consider what God would have us do with our lives and how we can best answer God’s Call.