Good News in Old Coulsdon

This has been our 'Fun Weekend', marking the church's 750th anniversary in Old Coulsdon. Yesterday the church was transformed with interactive prayer stations, displays of art and history, and becoming a busy tea shop. Outside on the green were sideshows, performances by children from local schools, a visit from a fire engine and many other fun and games. In the Congregational Church next door we displayed the 400 or so Good News stories that have been collected so far - stories about recovery of health, the support of families and friends, success at school and work, spiritual blessing, gratitude for the beauty of nature, and so on.

Today we worshipped in the open air in the rectory garden, joined with friends from the Congregational Church and St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, then enjoyed a picnic and a treasure hunt round the neighbourhood.

And all this is to celebrate the good news that the present church has been here for three-quarters of a millenium sharing the Good News of God's love and grace through his Son Jesus Christ. We hope that the rumours about the church will be that it is a place of good news, and that many people in the neighbourhood will want to discover more as we take time to talk with them about their good news.

A lot of hard work has gone into this weekend, for which I'm so grateful to colleagues and other church members.