TestimoniesBaptisms Kerry Kane Just before Christmas last year I was going through a rough patch, one of many! As I walked in through the front door I stepped over the pile of free leaflets and newspapers picking them up routinely to throw them straight into the bin. As I did this something caught my eye: an article about an Alpha course at St Mary's. I don't know why but something that day made me read it and later the same day I called Chris to see find out more and see if there were still places. My family are not religious and I have only ever been to church for the occasional funeral or wedding. I started Alpha apprehensively just after Christmas in January and didn't tell anyone apart from my partner. As the weeks went on and the questions lessened I started to tell my friends and family proudly and confidently where I was going on a Wednesday evening. The initial reaction was that of it'll just be a phase or that maybe I had joined a cult. Then it was would I change and become a different person. Some thought challenging and less accepting. Other friends were inquisitive, asking questions wanting to know more themselves about Alpha, church, god and being a Christian. I think that once those who were important to me saw the changes were positive resulting in a happier Kerry they became more accepting. I remember a comment from someone after seeing some friends from church, saying, "but they look normal." I wondered what they expected. As the Alpha course went on I remember feeling happier and more content with life and myself. I met new people and made new friends and felt happy at church. I felt that I was accepted for who I was which in turn helped me to accept who I am, flaws and all! Towards the end of the course we had a day away at another church and it was that day that made me decide to become a Christian and be baptised. I had an experience I couldn't even begin to try and find words for but one that made me feel like I had never felt before. That day a huge weight had been lifted from me enabling me to move on and enjoy life. After the Alpha course I knew the natural progression was to join a LIFE group which I did and was warmly welcomed. Praying and reading the bible were all things that were totally new to me and I thank the group for sharing and building my confidence with this. Looking back God was with me all through my life, I just couldn't see it at the time. It is since that day in December that I began to open up to him and share my life with him. I know that he is with me and wants me to be baptised and I am thankful to share this special day with the christening of my son and daughter. Eleanor Hawthorn (aged 9) I want to be baptised because I want to dedicate my life to God because he created us and sent his only son to save us. Being a Christian makes my life better because God answers my prayers. Paul Nicholas I was brought up in a Christian home by loving, godly parents, so from an early age I realised that God cared for me. I cannot define an exact moment when I decided to follow Jesus, but during my childhood I witnessed God's provision and grace many times. One incident in particular stands out for me: at age 4 I had a very bad asthmatic attack and couldn't breathe. I remember vividly the feeling of helplessness and my GP wanted to hospitalise me immediately. My dad took me home however and prayed for me throughout the night. By the morning I had made a complete recovery and I have no doubt this was just one instance where I have experienced God's healing power. As a boy I also wrote out much of the Bible by hand, and this grounding in the Word of God has proved invaluable to me. In the subsequent years, God has blessed me abundantly, and I am very grateful for all the gifts and talents He has given me, especially academically. I have also been learning more and more what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. At university I began to share my faith with others, and it has been a joy to make friends with Christian brothers and sisters from all walks of life. My prayer today is that as I rise out of the water God would fill me up completely with the Holy Spirit. I know that God has good plans for me and there are many things I have yet to accomplish, and I pray that I would have the courage and faith to carry them out. Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Affirmation of Baptismal Vows Pamela Levius After joining the Alpha programme and also being a member of a cell group, I have learnt about forgiveness. I've learnt that the power of forgiveness is a great gift from God. I know how it feels when someone has wronged or hurt you, to forgive that person can be a great ordeal. Forgiveness starts with you as an individual, you must first forgive yourself in order to forgive them. Prayer can help immensely when trying to forgive. God's word says knock and the door shall be opened. By simply asking God for the help to forgive it can be done, for "all our help cometh form the Lord". By not forgiving you only hurt yourself, and you are left with a heavy heart. Forgiveness makes you a stronger person, it's not easy, but according to God's will anything is possible. Dee Thompson It's taken me so long to be able to have or give my trust to people for so many years. I've had serious doubt about God's ability to turn someone like me with so many inner fights, and so many inner struggles, and yes I've done the unthinkable suicide attempts, self destruction, for so many years. Up to last year even when I was brought back from a massive overdose, I wondered why. But as the past few years have proved, God has not wanted me to end my life. He showed me time and time again, He wants me to live life, no matter how ill or how low I get. And St. Mary's has given me more love and such a wonderful acceptance, of what is my new family, and I know even you can get exasperated at my highs and lows. And I bless you for your kindness and understand. It's hard to make people understand. I'm not so hard - I'm just keeping a front so as not to get hurt! I want so much to affirm my baptismal vows. And I'm laying down my sword or low self-worth, and want to put on the new sword of God's armour, by being given a second chance at his way, the truth and a wonderful life. His church is my salvation, and my refuge in times of inner turmoil. It's not going to be as easy as I think, God knows this and I want his love and blessing and I'm in no doubt at all that this is what He has been waiting for - me to accept Him in so many ways: in my thinking, attitude, and worth. It would be an honour for me if I'm brought to God with no conditions, no "if what's", just my love and His feeling I'm home at last with Him and St. Mary's and all who serve Him. So I'm looking forward, never back. My life is with you all and with God, who has at last gotten through to my inner soul. Thank you for teaching me God has no boundaries and His love is forever. God's many blessings to St. Mary's. Jackie Staniforth I badly want to be washed of all the baggage accumulated over the years and given a new start in Him. I'm not that old but feel that I'm beginning to slow down a bit. I want (to paraphrase Isaiah) "to rise up like an eagle, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not grow faint". To let go of everything, to be pushed underwater (something I would normally find physically terrifying, actually), to submit, to put all my trust in God and not in myself - that's what I want. Having toyed with the idea for several years, now that I've finally made the decision for baptism by immersion I'm both peaceful about the day and excited about what will follow. Adult Confirmation Philomel James Hello, my name is Philomel and I've been coming to St Mary's for about 5 years, but I've actually known St Mary's all my life, I was baptized here and did attend Sunday School. However, with my parents various commitments, e.g. family, work etc I drifted away from church. Coming back to St Mary's was due to my marriage. We had to face what all couples face, having made that decision to commit, was how to get married? Register Office, fancy hotel that hold civil ceremonies or the Church. Lee and I decided Church was the place, but why? It seemed the most obvious to me as I had been brought up a Christian, God had played a part in my life, but why now, why was it important to have our vows witnessed in the eyes of God. To try to understand the true meaning of getting married in Church, Richard asked if we would like to attend a series of meetings with other couples also getting married at St Mary's. We attended, and I personally felt enriched by what I heard and saw, but was it enough? Later we got married, one of the best days of my life by the way, but I decided God would not stop there, I wanted to know more. The Alpha course came along, and I felt it was an excellent opportunity to try and understand more about the Christian faith, and meet fellow St Mary's attendees (whom I only knew by face, but not by name) and why people became Christians. I attended the sessions, along with my mother, and I loved every minute of it. Everybody we met (most of you here today) were all so lovely, kind, thoughtful, interested in YOU, everybody talking about their own experiences, some sad, some with joy, some with very important decisions to make (reaching the crossroads), but all believing in the same thing GOD, his Son and the Holy Spirit. You can ALWAYS talk to God, he may not answer you straight away but he has taken note. The "away day" was particularly spiritual. I now belong to Anna's Life Group, and, along with others, try and deepen my understanding of the Bible, the true meaning of the Gospel, what God means to US. 1 John: 4.16 "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them". Thank you. Amen. Irene Wall I wish to make a dedication of faith in acknowledgement of God's love and mercy to me, despite my many shortcomings. I wish for Christ to work in my life and that with the help of the Holy Spirit I will learn to serve him. Lorna Lespierre I was blessed in being born into a Christian home. My mother, who passed away more than fourteen years ago, and my brother and my sister are all born again Christians. Since joining a Life Group in 2003, I realised I need to make a personal decision about faith and made the decision to be confirmed. Jesus has guided me in my work as a nurse, He has guided me in my prayer, given me answers at times and each day I feel my faith growing stronger and stronger. I feel this is the right time for confirming my faith. Veronica Rattray Growing up in a Christian family, I always felt at a loss in understanding the Bible in the way I should. But this did not hinder me from worshipping God. God has always been there for me through good and bad times. There was one occasion when I knew God played a big part in my life. A few of my friends and I had a great day out at the sea-side, we had so much fun they did not want the day to come to an end. They all wanted to go out for a drive, but something was telling me not to go. On our way home my friend who was driving took the wrong exit on purpose and we entered onto the motorway. We hadn't gone far when the car span out of control at 60 mph. The car crashed into the wall, rebounded off, and spun round at least three times before it came to a stop. All four of us came out of the car without a scratch and the car was a total write off. We later found out that there was an oil spillage on the road. To this day I know God was with me and every day I put my hand on my heart, and I thank him for giving me back my life. Getting confirmed is a step nearer to being part of his life as he has always been a part of mine. Heather Teague As a child I went to church schools for Primary and Secondary education. When I left school and started work I am afraid to say God went on the back-burner. It wasn't until my Son and his friends joined Alpha in 2006. They persuaded me to go to the Mother's Day service and that was the start of my rediscovering of God. Recently, I have felt as if I had been walking through a fog. Rather like the Anthony Gormley's piece of art in the Haywood Gallery in London. Coming back to Church and God is as if I have found my way out and out into the sunshine of London. Confirmation Testimonies 2006 Young People Gemma Okeke Now I have started getting closer to God I want to get confirmed. God has kept my family together and I am so grateful that he loves me and made the whole world for me. I am glad to know there are other Christians who want to follow Jesus as well and I am willing to commit to God as a Christian. George Ogleby I want to get confirmed as I feel it will help me to get to know God better and I will be able to have a better relationship with him. God has made me a better Christian and he has also made me into a better person. Being a Christian also helps me to respect other religions. Sebastian Bregger I feel that through confirmation I can be closer to God and that will help me to become a better person. God has helped me and been there for me in good and bad times and he has never left me to feel lonely. Whenever I feel alone, I know that God is there for me. Vanessa Rattray I have strong Christian friends at college and I have been able to see what God has done in their lives. I want to be a part of God's plan and I believe that confirmation is the first step to being reborn into a better person. God has given me courage and strength to stand up against those who try and bring me down. Now I have God's help and guidance I can read the Bible and pray more easily and I can make my own decision to be closer to him. I know that sacrifices will have to be made for me to become a better person. I believe that being a Christian means I need to pray for my enemies and help them to see the goodness all around them. Charlotte Gee I would like to be confirmed so that I can get closer to God. At a Christian Union weekend last year my faith was really strengthened and I want to be known as a Christian. God has always brought me through difficult times and I can always talk to him and ask him to help me. Being a Christian allows me to receive God's forgiveness and have his help through anything. Sally Williams I want to take this chance to get closer to God. He has always been there for me; to comfort, help, love and have faith in me. I want to make this commitment to him and feel I am ready to be a true Christian. Since the day I was born, God has been there every step of the way. He loves me for who I am and I have faith that whoever I become in the future and wherever I go, God will always be by my side. As a Christian I need to love God for what he has done for me. If I wasn't a Christian I wouldn't love my life like I love it now. Emma Barlow In this last year being a Christian has brought many opportunities my way. They have helped me and made me realise how much I need God. Having God in my life is an amazing thing. When I have problems God is the first person I turn to and when I need help, I want God to be the one person I turn to. God has helped me to be a better person and to enjoy life more. Charles Sinden I now feel ready to be confirmed. God has helped me at school and in exams and he has helped my Mum to get better. Being a Christian means that I have God's support and help in everything. Natalie Lisk Before I started praying I found there was an emptiness. I found myself in many situations I didn't think I would get through, but my Mum told me one thing - She told me that if all else fails I should pray. So I did. And I've found that God does answer my prayers in many different ways. Jade King I feel that confirmation will bring me closer to God. God has answered lots of my prayers and has helped me to get on in my life. Adults Paul Teague I wish to make a public display of my Faith because I believe strongly that it is a very important step to take in following God. In a time when faith is increasingly under attack and its public display is frowned upon I want to make an open demonstration that I have let Jesus into my life, as my redeemer and saviour and that he is my Lord. The difference Jesus has made in my life is startling and deserves recognition; before Jesus came into my life I felt rudderless and unfocused. The presence of God in my life has given it new meaning and purpose, in a way which could not be achieved by a secular "self-help" book. That we need God's guidance to lead useful lives, indeed to live at all, is self evident; we cannot stand alone. Those who try to get by without God will fail. All should know that I praise God for all things and that I am in wonder at the blessings he has, and continues, to rain upon me. I warmly thank the people from this Church who ran the Alpha Course without which I would not be here. Helen Redfern Up until this year, I would have happily ticked the "CofE" box on forms such as the Census but hand on heart I did not believe, or rather "know", that God existed. I have always found religions interesting and envied those who felt the presence of a God although I suspected that they were somewhat deluded. Towards the end of 2005 I found myself questioning God, on the off chance that he was there, as to why something that really meant a lot to me was not working out as I had hoped. As it happened, this issue was resolved but when a leaflet came regarding the Alpha course I thought I'd give it a go. My expectations for the Alpha course were that it might be quite interesting on an intellectual level. I was tremendously fortunate that I was placed in a small group with Avril Daplyn, Sue Ogleby and Chris Rutter as leaders and Paul Young as my co-guest. Avril, Sue and Chris guided Paul and me through the maze of ideas, each coming from a different viewpoint or experience. However, my view of Christianity was marred by my impression that being a Christian involved being on the bottom rung of various hierarchies - be it within the local church (me vs. the important vicar), the wider church (me, a female, vs. the male establishment), and with God Himself (me vs. an all-powerful being that looked down on me, probably with disdain). Avril, Sue and Chris helped me to realise again and again that being a Christian is simple. All I have to do is believe that God sacrificed his Son for our sins and that Jesus rose again and ascended to Heaven. Amazingly I found myself believing just that. Furthermore, being a Christian isn't about hierarchies but about a loving relationship with God. Once I realised that, that relationship was on offer I found myself chatting to God. Finally, we had our Holy Spirit Day on which I made that connection with the Holy Spirit and I felt quite humbled that so many people had helped me along the way. The following day I attended the Sunday morning service at St Mary's. I was made to feel extremely welcome, and it was really quite emotional for me. I even realised that hymns are not just "a nice song" but acts of worship. I actually meant the words I was singing! What I hadn't realised was that I was finding my spiritual home. I wish to affirm the Baptism vows that were made on my behalf when I was younger. I wish to stand up and let it be known that I know God. I wish to stand up and let it be known that I love God. Marion Young I have attended a couple of churches in the past but have always felt I was just going through the motions, understanding the theory but just not feeling it. Paul Young Up until 18 months ago I wasn't interested in religion. I attended a Methodist church once a month for my duties as a scout leader and accompanying the family on occasions. After several months I came into church one day and had this warm feeling wash over me (and no it wasn't the over door heater) I felt a sense of peace but I didn't share it with anyone because I wasn't sure what was happening. Another alpha course came up and my wife and daughter suggested that I might like to give it a go and see why they enjoyed it so much. I signed up at the last minute and was able to finish the course. I really enjoyed asking loads of questions and got most of them answered. I have now joined a life group with the new friends I have made and I'm having a great time. James Fitch I was adopted as a baby from Ecuador. Over the past several weeks I have realised that the most powerful thing God has ever done for me was not just to give me life, but to actually give me a life, that was blessed with two wonderful parents, and that it was by God's grace and mercy he spared me a life of poverty and potential despair. I have always had a religious upbringing and have always believed in God, but I have up until recently always been fearful of taking the next step that brings me closer to him. Susan Oliver Since completing an Alpha course at St Mary's 2 years ago, and joining a Life Group, my life feels it has a deeper sense of calm and meaning. I find by trusting and leaving things to God I feel happier and more fulfilled as a person. It is as though I have found a long lost friend, with whom I can talk to at any time. Someone with whom I can share my thoughts and feelings with. One of my challenges was forgiving and letting go of petty grievances, which I feel I have been able to do, since my renewed relationship with God. Enid Friend I have never been a regular "church goer", except for the usual weddings and funerals. When my husband's funeral was held here, I felt I had to come more often. I joined the Alpha Course and was made very welcome. I found many good friends here that have helped me understand the Bible and to find a faith in God that I never had before. My friend's at St Mary's and my late husband's family have helped me through some very low times to find peace and God here in this Church and at my Life Group. Allan Fallshaw I have been a practising Christian for many years and from time to time have been active in Church Life and its organisations. I have always been a loyal attender at church and would attempt to express my faith if challenged. Last September however, my faith was challenged in an unexpected way! I was on a pilgrimage in Greece with other Christians and we were travelling over a part of St Paul's second missionary journey. On the first Sunday, we visited Philippi and also the passable site where Lydia of Thyatina was baptised by St Paul, the first recorded baptism in Europe. While we were there a Communion Service was held and all the Group were invited to renew their baptismal vows at the riverside baptistery. During the service we sang: "Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me I found that service thought provoking. Although I had been dedicated as a young child and made a public declaration of my faith when being received into Church membership, I had never been baptised. On that day, I felt I wanted to make a fuller commitment to God and to receive Baptism. But, by nature I am cautious and I waited to see if that was what I truly wanted. That desire has remained with me. In January, I attended St Mary's one Sunday morning in the hope that I would find a church where my faith would grow. I found a caring community of Christians where the sermons encouraged me to allow the love of God into my life. I joined a Life Group and soon realised that although I am confident in discussions, I was sometimes hesitant when it came to discussing my Christian belief and what my faith means to me. In the past six months my Christian faith has deepened and I have been able to accept the wonderful love of God into my mind. Sometimes I want to do my own thing, but I put my concerns to the Lord and sense warmth towards God, myself and friends. Young People's Confirmation Testimonies 2007 Melissa Rattray, 12 I want to be confirmed because I want to be closer to God in a very spiritual way. God has helped me through my exams and when my Dad was in a period of stress. I know that I can be connected to God and that I can love Jesus by going to church every 2 weeks. I have to admit at first that I thought Confirmation was just about receiving bread and wine and I was very cautious about going to the sessions, but now I have learnt that as Becca said, "God is like a puzzle" and as we get older we find another piece which is put into the right place and the big mess becomes a clear picture. I now feel as though I am very committed to have God in my life and pray at least 5 minutes a day to God which is so minute compared to the whole 24 hours. Sam Gee, 14 I have been going to church all my life and I understand what it means to be a Christian. I feel like part of the church and know that I am always welcome here. I want to be confirmed so that I can be welcomed properly into the church family. God has always been there for me whenever I ask things of him and he has often answered my prayers and has helped me through any problems in my life. Being a Christian means that I can always ask God for help and that there will always be people here at church who I can rely on and can help me when I have problems. Being a Christian means that I can always turn to God in times of need. Leanne During, 13 I want to be confirmed so that I can step into the church as an individual and so that I can have a personal relationship with God. God has given me a good school, good health, friends and family. As a Christian I can pray to God freely and he always reassures me by answering my prayers. Dehanka Waddell, 12 God has done everything I can ask him to do for me and that shows how important I am to him. It is now up to me to decide what I want to do for the rest of my life in all its fullness for all eternity, and from the bottom of my heart I would like to thank him by becoming a full member of the Anglican faith. And I will try to devote the rest of my life to him. I want to be confirmed because I would like to become a true Christian and I would also like to try the bread and wine. God has always been there for me and he has given me freewill and a healthy life. If I wasn't a Christian my life would be different. I like being a Christian because it has helped me meet my friends. Kurtis Justin, 12 I want to be confirmed so that I can get closer to God. God has helped me by bringing me and my family into church where we can learn about God and I can meet new people. Being a Christian helps me to change my ways. Sam Jelley, 12 I want to be confirmed so that I can learn more about God and be with him more. God has helped me through my year 6 SATs and my year 7 exams. Being a Christian helps me get through things and I know that God feels welcome in my heart. Young People's Full Immersion Baptism Testimony 2007 Eleanor Hawthorn, 9 I want to be baptised because I want to dedicate my life to God because he created us and sent his only son to save us. Being a Christian makes my life better because God answers my prayers. |