We recently had a fantastic weekend with some "visitors from the east" - Rev Michael Heaney, the General Secretary of the Congregational Federation, who works in Nottingham, together with Rose and their son Sam, joined us for a social evening on Saturday 21st April, and led worship on the Sunday morning. On the Saturday, we enjoyed 'foods of the world' and three of our members led us in a quiz about their home countries (Denmark, Sierra Leone, and Malawi). Michael also shared stories of his experiences of the family of the Council for World Mission, our global partnership of churches. He particularly focused on how different cultures do meals, not least Communion, to help us reflect on the rich diversity - and the challenge to break down barriers. We closed with singing "For everyone born a place at the table". As several people remarked, it was one of the best evenings we have had at Lees Street. And then in worship the next day, by reflecting on the life of John Newton, the author of 'Amazing Grace', Michael helped us think about "unlocking" our good news, unlocking our gifts, to rid ourselves of the chains which hem us in or hold us back - as individuals and as churches. Afterwards, as pictured, Rose and Michael added to our second mosaic - "Faith". It was great for Lees Street to meet representatives of the wider church, and it was a wholly positive time of togetherness.
