The Life in the Spirit seminar series organised by Charis in St Mary’s church hall, Sunderland, ended with an uplifting talk by Bishop Stephen on transformation.
Low Fell choir group opened the sixth session with praise and worship before Kath Temple shared her testimony.
CHARIS secretary, Deacon Alison Rebello, then delivered a talk on growth, sharing his faith and fellowship story, and talked about the prayer group Anointing Fire Catholic Ministries, Newcastle – part of a worldwide evangelisation group.
He told how, during the pandemic, he had engaged in regular Zoom classes for people newly embracing faith in India, and how his own growth in prayer life had helped him to create many more groups, and to make a difference to their lives.
In the seventh session, Durham University’s lay chaplain Andrew Tinkler shared his testimony. He revealed how, on his mother’s suggestion, he had asked Fr Michael Conaty to pray over him and suddenly felt a calm wash over him when he did so. It led to him attending church and prayer groups regularly.
Ordinary prayerfulness brings with it a sense of serenity, peace and family bonding, and is a secret way of charging your batteries, he pointed out.
In his talk, Bishop Stephen spoke about his pectoral cross, crucifix and photo frame with a scripture quotation from John 11: 25. He also told how his 2020 ordination – in the Year of the Word – was pivotal in his life.
Bishop Stephen concluded by reminding us that it is the Word made flesh that leads to our transformation.
He asked everyone gathered at St Mary’s to be another Christ – and to be a flame with charity towards everyone.
For details of forthcoming seminars in Hexham and Newton Aycliffe, please contact CHARIS by emailing the team at adminfaith.mission@diocesehn.org.uk.
- You can read a longer version of this story in the June edition of Northern Cross.
This article was first published in June’s Edition of the Northern Cross. Pick your copy up now at your local church or subscribe online here.
