August News
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Dear Friends, When I moved to Cox Green in 1975 I began worshipping at The Good Shepherd. At the time the church was a small building in Cox Green Lane. Only a few of us now remember it but there are photographs in the Pastoral Room of the old building. In the Victory Hall there is a picture of the old Victory hall which was also in Cox Green Lane. By the 1970s it was a bit “rundown” and in need of a lot of repair. I found everyone at the Good Shepherd very friendly and David Cawte, who was then the Vicar, came to visit me a few days after my first visit so that made me feel very welcome and accepted. A couple of years later the move to the newly-built Community Centre meant a big change for everyone. We all had to get used to worshipping in a completely different environment and “church” for us became, not the building, but the people. Over the years we have all had to adapt to new Liturgy, first with the Alternative Service Book and then Common Worship and to the many new styles of music such as Taizé chants, Iona songs and different types of worship songs. At the Good Shepherd we have embraced many of these changes and these have enriched our worship. Many visitors comment on our lively style of worship and Archdeacon Norman is among those who say they enjoy being with us. One of the strengths of our church is that we are willing to listen to the views of our congregation and many are not shy about giving their opinions! Recently, with the “Little Fishes” group that meets on Wednesday mornings, we discussed the timing that best suited those who attend. As a result we now meet at 9.30 instead of 10.00 and the format has changed so that we now have play activities first and end with our worship. Recently at the P.C.C. meeting it was decided that we should review our services. In the autumn we plan to form a group to look at our monthly “Family Service” and the 10a.m. service. We will consider what works well and the changes that could be made and we will listen carefully to everyone’s views. We hope you will all think about our worship and that we can pray:
God grant me Serenity to accept the things I cannot change Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference. Joan Black
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